Obesity treatment systems

ABSTRACT

In some embodiments, methods to sense parameters associated with restriction procedures and/or devices are disclosed. In some embodiments, the parameters are sensed directly from the region of the procedure and/or device and in other embodiments, associated neural pathways are sensed. Methods for further optimization of the obesity treatment regimens are also disclosed.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation-in-part of InternationalPatent Application PCT/US2005/033683 filed Sep. 19, 2005 which is acontinuation-in-part of U.S. Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No.11/148,519 entitled “Methods and Devices for Percutaneous,Non-Laparoscopic Treatment of Obesity,” filed on Jun. 9, 2005 by MichaelGertner, MD, and is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. Non-Provisionalpatent application Ser. No. 11/153,791 entitled “Methods and Devices forthe Surgical Creation of Satiety and Biofeedback Pathways,” filed onJun. 15, 2005, both of which are continuation-in-parts of U.S.Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No. 11/125,547 by MichaelGertner, M.D., entitled “Percutaneous Gastroplasty” filed May 10, 2005,now U.S. Pat. No. 7,670,279 which is a continuation-in-part ofInternational Patent Application No. PCT/US05/09322 by Michael Gertner,M.D., filed Mar. 19, 2005, designating the United States, entitled“DEVICE AND METHODS TO TREAT A PATIENT,” which is a continuation-in-partof U.S. Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No. 10/974,248 byMichael Gertner, M.D. filed Oct. 27, 2004, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,255,675entitled “DEVICES AND METHODS TO TREAT A PATIENT,” which claims priorityto U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/556,004 filed Mar.23, 2004 by Michael Gertner, M.D., entitled “BARIATRIC DEVICES ANDIMPLANTATION METHODS,” to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No.60/584,219 filed Jul. 1, 2004 by Michael Gertner, M.D., entitled“DEVICES AND METHODS FOR PERCUTANEOUS GASTROPLASTY,” to U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application Ser. No. 60/603,944 filed Aug. 23, 2004 by MichaelGertner, M.D., entitled “DEVICES AND METHODS TO TREAT MORBID OBESITY,”all of which are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to devices, methods and apparatus to treatobesity. Implantable devices, methods to implant implantable devices,and surgical devices to enable the implantation of the implantabledevices in, around, or near the walls of organs or vessels aredisclosed, including devices to appose the walls of the stomach.Feedback systems are also disclosed which enable multimodality therapysuch as gastric restriction in combination with electrical stimulationof the stomach, sensing of feeding parameters, and/or other efferent orafferent neural pathways in a patient.

2. Description of the Related Art

Obesity is a public health problem of extreme national and internationalimportance. There are an estimated 60 million obese adults and 2 millionobese adolescents in the United States as of 2004. By some estimates,there are 1 billion obese individuals worldwide. Indeed, to highlightthe worldwide importance of the disease, a recent report estimated thatover there are over 60 million obese individuals in China, a 10-foldincrease since 2000. Obesity affects the life quality and productivityof those effected and leads to long-term health related complicationssuch as diabetes and heart disease. Some researchers estimate that ifthe obesity epidemic is not brought under control, it could quicklyoverwhelm societal resources.

To date, surgery is the only proven method for inducing substantialweight loss. The mechanism behind the success of surgery is, in manycases, not known because obesity is such a complex, multifactorialdisease. Some researchers propose that surgery does no more than providebiofeedback for appetite retraining. Other researchers maintain thatsurgery alters the physiology of the patient such that satiety isinduced earlier or fewer nutrients are absorbed. Nonetheless, theconsensus among most obesity researchers is that at the current time,long-term weight loss is only possible by surgical means and that thesuccess of surgery is due to a multifactorial set of changes.

Over the past four decades, there have been numerous surgical proceduresand devices developed to treat those who suffer from morbid obesity. Ingeneral, there are two physiologic components of all past and currentprocedures: malabsorption and mechanical restriction/volume reduction.Newer methods and devices include stimulation devices such asneurostimulators and muscle stimulators. In general, these devices willrequire further research and development before they will be used totreat obese patients as a single therapy.

Many of the procedures performed in the past have proven to beimpractical, dangerous, and/or detrimental to patient health and are nowof historical importance only. One example of a failed procedure was thejejuno-ileo bypass in which a malabsorptive state was created throughthe bypass of a large portion of the intestine through the creation of asurgical anastomosis between the jejunum and the ileum. While patientsinitially lost a great deal of weight, liver failure or liver damageoccurred in over one-third of the patients, necessitating reversal ofthe surgical procedures.

One of the first restrictive type surgical procedures was the so-called“stomach stapling” operation in which a row of horizontal staples wasplaced across the upper stomach and then several staples were removedfrom the staple line to create an opening, the “os,” for a small amountof food, but not too much food. This procedure was mostly restrictive,leading to an early feeling of satiety. This surgery was abandonedbecause 70%-80% of patients had inadequate weight loss due to stapleline dehiscence (i.e. the staples pulled through the stomach wall). Aprocedure to stabilize the staple line was performed by Smith et. al.(Lindsay B. Smith; Modification of the Gastric Partitioning OperationFor Morbid Obesity. Am. J. Surgery 142, December 1981) in which thestaple line was buttressed in the region where the staples were removedusing teflon pledgets with sutures passing through the middle of thepledgets. The purpose of the pledgets was to buttress the suture anddistribute the load across the suture to the pledget, thereby preventingthe suture from pulling through the stomach and therefore stabilizingthe os. The outcomes showed that the suture buttress was unequivocallyable to prevent the suture from tearing through the stomach wall;indeed, over 90% of the patients showed excellent weight loss at 18months.

The Roux-en-Y (The Roux) bypass operation has become the most commonlyperformed surgical procedure to treat the morbidly obese in the UnitedStates. It combines a small degree of malabsorption with a 90% reductionin the volume of the stomach. In the United States, 150,000 Rouxprocedures were performed in the year 2004. This number is expected torise to 500,000 procedures by 2007. The procedure actually has beenperformed since the late 1970's but has evolved substantially over thepast three decades into a relatively safe and effective procedure;indeed, the long-term data are very good. The advent of laparoscopicsurgery and hence the laparoscopic Roux-en-Y bypass in combination withexcellent follow-up results from the open (and laparoscopic) procedureare reasons for the proliferation of the Roux procedure.

Despite the efficacy of the Roux procedure and the recent laparoscopicimprovements, it remains a highly invasive procedure with substantialmorbidity, including a 1-2% surgical mortality, a 20-30% incidence ofpulmonary morbidity such as pneumonia, pulmonary embolism, etc., and a1-4% chance of leak at the anastomotic site which can result in aspectrum of consequences ranging from an extended hospital stay todeath. Furthermore, it is not a good option for adolescents in whom thelong-term consequences of malabsorption are not known. In addition, manypatients resist such an irreversible, life altering procedure.

The Roux procedure requires general anesthesia and muscle paralysiswhich, in the morbidly obese population, is not of small consequence.There is also a substantial rate of anastomotic stricture which resultsin severe lifestyle changes for patients. As an example, many patientsare forced to vomit after meals. Furthermore, although minor whencompared to previous malabsorptive (e.g. jejuno-ileal bypass)procedures, the malabsorption created by the Roux-en-Y procedure candramatically affect the quality of life of patients who undergo theprocedure; for example, they may experience gas bloating, symptoms ofthe dumping syndrome, and/or dysphasia. In addition, these patients canexperience very early fullness such that they are forced to vomitfollowing meals.

Recently, minimally invasive procedures and devices which create afeeling of early satiety have been introduced into the marketplace in anattempt to address some of the issues above. The LAP-BAND™ is a bandwhich encircles the stomach at the region of the fundus-cardia junction;it is a restrictive procedure similar to stomach stapling. It requiresgeneral anesthesia, a pneumoperitoneum, muscle paralysis, and extensivedissection of the stomach at the level the gastroesophageal junction. Italso requires continual adjustment of the band, or restriction portionof the device. Although less invasive than the Roux procedure andpotentially reversible, the LAP-BAND™ is nonetheless quite invasive. Italso does not reduce the volume of the stomach by any great extent andsome patients report a feeling of hunger much of the time. Furthermore,once implanted, the Lap-Band™, although it is adjustable by percutaneousmeans, is in fact very difficult to adjust and many iterativeadjustments are required before it is made right.

Long-term clinical follow-up reveals that the banding procedure resultsin many complications. In a recently published article (Camerini et. al.Thirteen Years of Follow-up in Patients with Adjustable Silicone GastricBanding for Obesity: Weight Loss and Constant Rate of Late SpecificComplications. Obesity Surgery, 14, 1343-1348), the authors reported a60% prevalence of late band removal secondary to complications such aserosion, slippage of the band, infection, or lack of effectiveness.Nonetheless, the LAP-BAND™ as a procedure is becoming very popularacross the world as it is a less invasive and reversible procedure. Theweight loss in long-term trials is considered adequate by some andinadequate by many; across various studies, the average weight loss isapproximately 40% of excess body weight which is well below the weightloss in the Roux, VBG, and duodenal switch procedures (see below).

Other procedures which have been tried in the past and which offervarying degrees of weight loss include several variations of theoriginal “gastroplasty” procedures. These procedures represent anevolution of the so-called “stomach stapling” procedure discussed above.These procedures were attempted prior to and concomitant with theevolution of the Roux-en-Y. They became popular (despite despiteoffering less weight loss than the Roux) because of their substantiallyless invasive nature and possible reversibility.

One such example is called the vertical banded gastroplasty, or VBG,which again, involves the creation of a restricting “os” for food. Inthe VBG, the border of the “os” is the lesser curvature of the stomachwhich is less apt to dilate than the fundus region of the stomach.Furthermore, the procedure completely excludes the fundus which isthought to easily dilate and in fact, is physiologically “programmed” todilate during meals . . . so-called “receptive relaxation.” Dilation ofthe fundus as a result of continued overeating is a major reason forfailure of the Lap-Band and in some cases the Roux procedure and thedevelopment of the VBG was intended to improve upon these outcomes. Oneissue with the VBG is that, as practiced today, it is not reversible,nor is it adjustable, and it is difficult to perform laparoscopically.As in the horizontal gastroplasty, the VBG utilizes standard staplerswhich, as in the horizontal gastroplasty, are unreliable when applied tothe stomach. In the case of the VBG, the row of staples runs parallel tothe lesser curvature of the stomach. An important reason for recurrentweight gain in the VBG is in fact recannulation of the staple line,leading to a so-called gastro-gastric fistula.

A recent, prospective, randomized trial, compared the VBG to theadjustable banding procedure and found that the VBG was overwhelminglysuperior to the banding procedure (Morino et. al. LaparoscopicAdjustable Silicone Gastric Banding Versus Vertical Banded Gastroplastyin Morbidly Obese Patients. Annals of Surgery. Vol. 238 (6) pps.835-842). Twenty five percent of the patients in the banding groupreturned to the operating room whereas there were no returns to theoperating room in the gastroplasty group. The degree of weight loss wasclose to 60% of excess body weight after three years in the gastroplastygroup and closer to 40% of excess body weight in the banding group.Although in this study, the VBG was successfully performedlaparoscopically, the laparoscopic VBG procedure is in fact, difficultto perform, because the procedure is not standardized and a “tool box”does not exist for the surgeon to carry out the procedure; furthermore,the procedure is not a reversible one and relies on the inherentlyunreliable stapler systems.

A recent meta-analysis and systematic review (Buchwald et. al. BariatricSurgery: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis; JAMA vol. 292, no 14.pps 1724-1737) indicated that vertical gastroplasty (avg. excess weightloss of 68.2%) is superior to adjustable banding (avg excess weight lossof 47.5%) and gastric bypass (avg excess weight loss of 61.6%).

The Magenstrasse and Mill (M&M) procedure is an evolving gastroplastytechnique wherein the greater curvature of the stomach is separated(stapled and cut) from the path of food, leaving a tube of stomach, theMagenstrasse, or “street of the stomach,” which is comprised of thelesser curvature. This procedure is similar to the VBG except that thelongitudinal staple line of the stomach extends further along the lessercurvature and into the antrum. The theory behind leaving the antral“mill” is that it will continue to serve its normal function of mixing,grinding, retropulsion, and well-orchestrated expulsion of chyme intothe duodenum. An authoritative study on the operation is incorporatedherein by reference (Johnston et. al. The Magenstrasse and MillOperation for Morbid Obesity; Obesity Surgery 13, 10-16).

In summary, the vertical gastroplasty procedure appears to be superiorto the banding procedure. However, the vertical gastroplasty procedureis not easily performed laparoscopically and furthermore, it is noteasily reversible. Therefore, a need exists to standardize the verticalbanded gastroplasty and create a safer procedure which is also easy toperform, is durable, and is reversible.

The intragastric balloon is not a new concept. The intragastric balloonis meant to displace volume within the stomach such that a smallervolume of food leads to an earlier feeling of satiety. Currently,intragastric balloons on the market are not fixed to the stomach andconsequently, can lead to complications such as obstruction and mucosalerosion. To avoid these complications, the balloons are removed after amaximum of six months. In a prospective, non-randomized, unblinded study(Sallet et. al. Brazilian Multicenter Study of the Intragastric Balloon;Obesity Surgery, 14, 991-998), the average excess weight loss was 48.3%after 1 year. However, the incidence of nausea and vomiting was 40% andepigastric pain was 20%; balloon impaction occurred in 0.6% of patients.A balloon which is fixed to the wall of the stomach could potentiallyimprove the intragastric balloon device and allow longer-termimplantation.

More recently, there has been an effort to develop even less invasivedevices and procedures which do not involve incisions at all. For themost part, these procedures are performed from within the stomach withan endoscope and by a physician with a high degree of endoscopic skill.For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,558,400 describes methods and devices tocreate partitions in the stomach. Anchors or staplers applied through anendoscope from within the stomach are used to accomplish the partitions.Similarly, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2004/0122456describes another set of methods and devices to reduce the volume of thestomach. Expandable anchors are deployed both on the anterior andposterior wall of the stomach using an endoscope. Flexible sutures arebrought out of the patient's mouth and the sutures are crimped togetherwithin the stomach in order to bring the walls of the stomach closertogether. The final configuration has a discontinuous connectorpositioned between the anterior and posterior anchors. U.S. Pat. No.6,773,440 describes a device which is advanced through an endoscope andgrasps or applies suction to a fold of mucosa to apply anchors throughthe mucosal and serosal layers of the stomach.

Endoscopic procedures to manipulate the stomach can be time consumingbecause of the technical difficulty of the endoscopy; they also requirea large endoscope through which many instruments need to be placed forthese complex procedures. Due to the large size of the endoscope,patients typically will require general anesthesia, which limits the“non-invasive” aspects of the procedure. Furthermore, the proceduresrequire advanced endoscopic skill which would need to be acquired bymost endoscopic practitioners outside of academic institutions. Suchskill adaptation can take a significant amount of time, which will limitadoption of the procedure by the physician community. A further issue isthat there is a limitation on the size of the anchors and devices whichcan be placed in the stomach because the endoscope has a maximumpermissible size.

Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy (PEG) refers to a procedure in whicha gastrocutaneous tract is created using a percutaneous procedure (seebelow for definition). A recent update of the procedure can be found onthe Society of American Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES)website, and is incorporated herein by reference. Briefly, the procedureinvolves insufflation of the stomach with and under visualization withan endoscope. A small incision is made in the skin and a needle isadvanced into the stomach (the stomach sits just under the abdominalwall when insufflated) under endoscopic visualization. A feeding tube isthen placed over the needle to create a gastrocutaneous tract with thefeeding tube inside the tract with the needle subsequently removed. Thefeeding tube is secured with an external bolster to creates a tubulartract from outside the patient through the skin of the abdominal walland residing inside the stomach. Over the ensuing weeks, a permanenttract evolves between the stomach mucosa and epithelium of the skin,after which, the bolster can be removed without consequence. When thefeeding tube is to be removed, the gastrocutaneous tract will close onits own as food will preferentially be delivered antegrade (the path ofleast resistance) to the duodenum, thereby allowing the tract to heal.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment, a gastric restriction system comprising at least onestomach restricting structure is adapted to be implanted in a patientand a sensor which can receive a signal from the stomach restrictingstructure and which is adapted to be implanted in a patient. The gastricrestriction system further comprises a signal generator which receivesat least one input signal from the sensor and generates a least oneoutput signal. The gastric restriction system can also comprise a powersource. In some embodiments, the gastric restriction system contains astomach restricting structure which is a band characterized by adiameter. In additional embodiments, the diameter of the stomachrestricting system is further adapted to be adjustable when anelectrical current is passed the stomach restricting structure. Thegastric restriction system can further comprise a stomach restrictingstructure which comprises an electrically activated material. Thegastric restriction system in some embodiments may also comprise astomach restricting structure which further comprises a thermallyresponsive material. In some embodiments, the gastric restriction systemcomprises a thermally responsive material made from a nickel-titaniumalloy. The gastric restriction system in further embodiments comprisesan electrically activated material comprising electromagnets. In otherembodiments, the gastric restriction system further comprises anadjustable gain control which modulates at least one input signal and atleast one output signal from the signal generator. In other embodiments,the gastric restriction system further comprises an adjustable gaincontrol which is remotely adjustable. The gastric restriction system insome embodiments comprises at least one stomach restricting structurewith one or more transgastric fastening assemblies comprising at leastone or more connectors. The gastric restriction system can also compriseat least one or more connectors which are comprised of an electricallyactivated material.

In another embodiment, a gastric restriction system comprises one ormore connectors which are further comprised of a nickel-titanium alloyadapted to decrease in length when a current is passed through the oneor more connectors.

In another embodiment, a gastric restriction system comprises a bandwherein the band further comprises an electrically activated material.The band further comprises a balloon. In some other embodiments, theballoon further comprises an electrically activated material which insome embodiments is an is a magnetorheologic fluid. In some embodiments,a gastric restriction system further comprises a sensor adapted todetect a physiologic variable. The physiologic variable can be apressure wave in the esophagus, a pressure wave in the esophagus, astrain placed on the stomach restricting structure, or a stress placedon the stomach restricting structure. In another embodiment, the sensorof the gastric restriction system is adapted to detect movement betweenvarious points on the stomach restricting structure. In otherembodiments, the gastric restriction system can further comprise asensor which is adapted to detect food passage and send a signal to thesignal generator; the signal generator is adapted to process an inputsignal and deliver an output signal to at least one stomach restrictingstructure wherein the output signal is sufficient to increase ordecrease the degree of restriction to the flow of food.

In another embodiment, the gastric restriction system further comprisesat least one output from a signal generator which communicates with oneof: a patient afferent pathway, a patient efferent pathway, a deviceend-effector pathway, and a patient end-effector pathway. The gastricrestriction system can further comprise one or more gain controls whichmodulate said at least one input signal and said at least one outputsignal and which is further adapted to be implanted in a patient. Infurther embodiments, the gastric restriction system further comprisesone or more gain controls which are remotely adjustable.

In another embodiment, a gastric restriction device is described whichcomprises: an expanding structure with a sizing and a shape configuredto embrace an internal organ or organ region; an activating port inphysical contact with the expanding structure; and an abdominal wallattachment structure. This embodiment can further comprise an activatingport which is in physical contact with the expanding structure and anabdominal wall attachment structure. The gastric restriction device canfurther comprise an electrically activateable element attached to theexpanding structure. The gastric restricting structure can furthercomprise an abdominal wall attachment structure which is a transgastricfastening assembly with one or more anchors and at least one connectorand which is adapted for attachment to the abdominal wall. In someembodiments of the gastric restricting structure, the at least oneconnector and the activating port are part of the same structure. Insome embodiments, the gastric restriction device embraces the proximalportion of the stomach, the sizing is between 0.5 cm and 5 cm, and theshape is configured to at least partially surround the proximal portionof the stomach. In further embodiments, the expanding structure of thegastric restriction device further comprises a fixation constructadapted to fix the expanding structure to the proximal portion of thestomach. The fixation construct can be a mechanical construct. Thefixation construct can further be adapted to penetrate the serosa butnot the mucosa of the internal organ. In some embodiments, themechanical construct is a connector and anchor structure and in someembodiments the construct further comprises an electrode adapted tostimulate the stomach. In further embodiments, the expanding structureis a balloon and in further embodiments, the balloon is filled with amagnetorheologic material. The expanding structure in some embodimentscan further be activated and in some embodiments the expanding structurecan comprise a shape memory alloy and in some embodiments, the shapememory alloy is nickel-titanium alloy.

In another embodiment, a gastric restriction device comprises aconnector and an anchor adapted to interface with the anterior wall ofthe stomach and attach to the connector; the restriction device furthercomprises a posterior anchor attached to the connector and adapted tointerface with the posterior wall of the stomach. One or more of theconnector, anterior fastener, and posterior fastener is adapted totransmit an electrical current to a region of the stomach. The gastricrestriction device further comprises a controller which communicateswith one or more of the connector, the anterior anchor, and theposterior anchor. The connector, the anterior anchor, or the posterioranchor of the gastric restriction device can further be adapted toreceive a signal from a sensor based control system. In furtherembodiments, the anterior anchor, the posterior anchor, or the connectorof the gastric restriction device is adapted to transmit an electricalcurrent to more than one regions of the stomach through more than oneelectrical pathway. In some embodiments, the gastric restriction devicecomprises more than one electrical pathway which is physically connectedto the gastric restriction device. In further embodiments, the gastricrestriction device is further adapted so that some of the electricalpathways communicate with the gastric restriction device through awireless communication system. In other embodiments, the gastricrestriction system further comprises a power source and/or a controller.In still further embodiments, the gastric restriction device comprises acontroller adapted to communicate with an implanted sensor.

In another embodiment, the anterior anchor, the posterior anchor or theconnector has one or more components which is biodegradable. Thetransgastric fastening assembly is further adapted to create a gastricrestriction in a patient for a period less than 5 years.

The transgastric fastening assembly can further comprise a signalgenerator. In some embodiments, the fastening assembly creates a stomachrestriction which is reversible upon receiving an electrical signal.

In another embodiment, a transgastric anchor assembly comprising atleast one anterior anchor, at least one connector defined by a lengthand a material and at least one posterior anchor wherein the at leastone posterior anchor is adapted to link to one or more anterior anchorsthrough one or more connectors. In some embodiments, the transgastricanchor assembly comprises at least one posterior anchor with a lengthbetween 1 cm and 20 cm. The transgastric anchor assembly is furtheradapted to link to one or more posterior anchors through one or moreconnectors. In some embodiments, the anterior anchor has a lengthbetween 0.5 cm and 20 cm. In further embodiments, the lengths of the oneor more connectors is adjustable.

In some embodiments, the transgastric anchor assembly comprises aposterior anchor which is comprised of a combination of a hydrophilicand a hydrophobic material.

In another embodiment, a gastric restriction system comprises at leastone stomach restricting structure adapted to be implanted in a patientand a sensor which communicates with the at least one stomachrestricting structure and which (the sensor) is adapted to be implantedin a patient. The gastric restriction system can further comprise atleast one stomach restricting structure which is adapted to transmit anelectrical current to a patient afferent pathway. The patient afferentpathway can be the vagus nerve. In some embodiments, the gastricrestriction system transmits an electrical current to the patientafferent pathway as a response to a signal provided by the sensor. Infurther embodiments, the gastric restriction system is further adaptedto transmit an electrical current directly to the muscles of thestomach. In some embodiments, the gastric restriction system is arestricting band. In another embodiment, the stomach restrictingstructure is a transgastric fastening assembly. In some embodiments, thesensor is configured to sense patient feeding and the transmission tothe stomach is sufficient to induce a feeling of satiety. In otherembodiments, the transmission is sufficient to induce a sensation ofnausea and/or vomiting. The sensor of the gastric restriction system canfurther be configured to sense patient feeding and said transmission canbe adapted to induce a sensation of nausea and/or vomiting. In otherembodiments, the sensor is configured to sense a strain on at least onestomach restricting structure and the gastric restriction system isfurther adapted for communication with the muscles of the stomach or theafferent fibers of the vagus nerve.

In another embodiment, a gastric restriction device comprises atransgastric anchor assembly comprising an anterior anchor, a posterioranchor, and a connector, one or more of which is further adapted toconduct an electrical current. The device can further be adapted forimplantation in a patient. The gastric restriction device can furthercomprise a device afferent pathway. In some embodiments, the gastricrestriction device can further comprise a device afferent pathway or adevice end-effector pathway. In additional, or in alternativeembodiments, the gastric restriction device can further comprise adevice efferent pathway. In some embodiments, device efferent pathwaychanges a state of the device itself (device end-effector pathway). Inother embodiments, the device-efferent pathway further transmits asignal to a patient afferent pathway which in some embodiments, is thevagus nerve, and in other embodiments, is a retroperitoneal structure.The device efferent pathway of the gastric restriction device can alsocommunicate with a patient afferent pathway which in some embodiments isa cutaneous pathway. The controller of the gastric restriction devicecan be programmed to send an electrical signal to the anterior andposterior anchors simultaneously or in a pattern where either theanterior or posterior anchor is activated at any one time.

In some embodiments, gastric restriction system further comprises adevice afferent pathway which in some embodiments can be a sensoradapted for communication with a controller. The sensor can be a straingauge which detects tension resulting from a force pushing apart theposterior and anterior anchors. The sensor can be an induction coilwhich senses movement between the anterior and posterior fasteners. Thegastric restriction device can also comprise a device end-effectorpathway adapted to receive input from the controller. The end-effectorcan be an electrically responsive material, or it can be anickel-titanium alloy such as nitinol. The device end-effector pathwaycan respond to an electrical signal generated as a result of patientfeeding or food flowing through the restriction device and thenickel-titanium material can be activated to change the degree ofgastric restriction.

The gastric restriction device can further contain one or more gaincontrols and in some cases, the controls can communicate with a deviceexternal to the patient through a wireless pathway.

In some embodiments, the gastric restriction device further comprisesone or more gain controls which dictate the response of the deviceend-effector pathways to the controller output. In some embodiments, thegain controls are adjustable with a wireless transmitter from a regionexternal to a patient.

In another embodiment, a gastric restriction system comprising anadjustable stomach restricting band which is adapted to be implanted ina patient, a physiologic sensor which communicates with the adjustablestomach constricting band and is adapted to be implanted in a patient,and a controller which receives an output signal from the sensor andgenerates its own output signal. The gastric restriction system canfurther comprise a power source which communicates with the adjustablestomach restricting band and is adapted to be implanted in a patient.The stomach restricting band can further comprise a device efferentpathway. The stomach restricting band can further be adapted to changeits diameter when an electrical current is passed through the stomachconstricting band. In some embodiments, the adjustable stomachrestricting band comprises an electrically activateable material, or insome embodiments, a shape memory material, or in some embodiments, anickel-titanium alloy. The gastric restriction system can furthercomprise an adjustable gain control which connects between the input andoutput signal. In some embodiments, the sensor senses patient feedingand in some embodiments, the sensor senses stress placed upon therestriction system. In some embodiments, the output signal from thegastric restriction system device stimulates one or more deviceend-effector pathways, a patient afferent pathway, a patientend-effector pathway, and a device efferent pathway. In someembodiments, the restricting band is further adapted to conductelectricity and in some embodiments, the restricting band can directlyinterface with the muscle of the stomach.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A-1E are perspective views of embodiments of the posterior anchorand connector.

FIGS. 1F and 1G are side views of an inflatable embodiment of posterioranchor and connector.

FIGS. 1H, 1I, and 1J are views of suture-connector—posterior anchorcombinations in which the connector is separable from the posterioranchor.

FIG. 1K is a depiction of the continuous form of a posterior anchor.

FIG. 1L is a view of a connector-anchor combination in which the lengthbetween two anchors is adjustable.

FIGS. 2A and 2B are a perspective view and top view of one embodiment ofan anterior anchor, respectively.

FIGS. 2C and 2D are side sectional views of the embodiment of theanterior anchor of FIGS. 2A and 2B, taken along the line B-B in FIG. 2B,in its deployed and reduced profile configuration, respectively.

FIGS. 2E and 2F are side sectional views of another embodiment of ananterior anchor, taken along the same line as FIGS. 2C and 2D, in itsdeployed and reduced profile configuration, respectively.

FIG. 2G is a perspective view of an inflatable embodiment of an anterioranchor.

FIGS. 2H and 2I are side sectional views of the embodiment of theanterior anchor of FIG. 2G, taken along the line D-D in FIG. 2G, in itsdeployed and reduced profile configuration, respectively.

FIG. 3A is a perspective view of another embodiment of an anterioranchor.

FIGS. 3B and 3C are perspective views of the embodiment of the anterioranchor shown in FIG. 3A in its reduced profile and deployedconfiguration, respectively.

FIG. 3D is a perspective view of another embodiment of an anterioranchor.

FIGS. 4A and 4A′ are a side and blow-up view, respectively, of oneembodiment of a tissue grasping instrument with the distal end in itsopen configuration.

FIGS. 4B and 4B′ are a perspective and blow-up view, respectively, ofthe tissue grasping instrument of FIG. 4A with the distal end in itsclosed configuration.

FIGS. 4C and 4C′ are a perspective and blow-up view, respectively, ofanother embodiment of the tissue grasping instrument with the distal endin its closed configuration.

FIG. 5A is a side view of one embodiment of an anchor implantationinstrument.

FIG. 5B is a perspective view of the distal end of the anchorimplantation instrument of FIG. 5A and an anterior anchor and connector.

FIG. 5C is a side sectional view of the distal end of the anchorimplantation instrument of FIGS. 5A and 5B, taken along line C-C in FIG.5B, with the anterior anchor in its reduced profile configuration.

FIG. 6A illustrates the first step in one embodiment of a method ofreducing the volume of the stomach. Shown is a side sectional view of apatient's abdomen with the instrument of FIG. 4 inserted into thepatient's abdomen through a laparoscopic port.

FIG. 6B illustrates the next step in one embodiment of a method ofreducing the volume of the stomach. Shown is a side sectional view of apatient's abdomen with the instrument of FIG. 4 grasping the posteriorwall of the stomach and a needle being inserted into the potential spaceof the lesser peritoneal sac.

FIG. 6C illustrates the next step in one embodiment of a method ofreducing the volume of the stomach. Shown is a side sectional view of apatient's abdomen with the instrument of FIG. 4 grasping the posteriorwall of the stomach and a posterior anchor and connector deployed in theexpanded potential space of the lesser peritoneal sac.

FIG. 6D illustrates the next step in one embodiment of a method ofreducing the volume of the stomach. Shown is a side sectional view of apatient's abdomen with a posterior anchor and connector deployed in theexpanded potential space of the lesser peritoneal sac, with theconnector passing out of the patient's abdomen through a laparoscopicport.

FIG. 6E illustrates an alternative step and device to place theposterior anchor in which the posterior anchor is brought behind thestomach before the connector is attached.

FIG. 7A illustrates the next step in one embodiment of a method ofreducing the volume of the stomach. Shown is a side sectional view of apatient's abdomen with the instrument of FIG. 5C placing an anterioranchor in the patient's abdomen adjacent to the anterior wall of thestomach.

FIG. 7B illustrates the next step in one embodiment of a method ofreducing the volume of the stomach. Shown is a side sectional view of apatient's abdomen with an anterior anchor in its deployed configurationon the connector, with the anterior and posterior walls of the stomachurged together.

FIG. 7C illustrates the next step in one embodiment of a method ofreducing the volume of the stomach. Shown is a side sectional view of apatient's abdomen after the connector has been cut flush with theanterior anchor.

FIGS. 7D-E illustrates a transgastric fastening assembly placed in aposition to close a fascial defect from a laparoscopic port.

FIG. 8A illustrates an embodiment of a method of reducing the volume ofthe stomach. Shown is a side sectional view of a patient's abdomen aftertwo posterior anchors and connectors have been deployed adjacent to theposterior wall of the stomach, with the connectors passing out of thepatient's abdomen through laparoscopic ports.

FIG. 8B shows the connectors of FIG. 8A with clamps placed on theconnectors outside the patient's body to temporarily hold the connectorsin a test position.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing three transgastric fasteningassemblies deployed longitudinally in a patient's stomach.

FIG. 10A illustrates one embodiment of a method for deploying a volumedisplacing device in the stomach. Shown is a side sectional view of apatient's abdomen after an uninflated balloon anchor has been insertedinside the patient's stomach with a connector passing out of thestomach, through the anterior stomach wall, and through a laparoscopicport.

FIG. 10B illustrates one embodiment of a method for deploying a volumedisplacing device in the stomach. Shown is a side sectional view of apatient's abdomen with the balloon anchor in its deployed position, heldin place by an anterior anchor and connector.

FIG. 11A illustrates a volume displacing device which resides outsidethe stomach and is shown in an undeployed state.

FIG. 11B illustrates a volume displacing device which resides outsidethat stomach and is shown in a deployed state and adapted to the contourof the stomach.

FIG. 11C illustrates a volume displacing device which resides outsidethe stomach and is fixed to the anterior wall of the stomach and to theabdominal wall with an anterior anchor and connector.

FIGS. 12 a-c illustrate the steps in the laparoscopic method of placinga device in the stomach where the transgastric connector attaches asuture to a posterior anchor.

FIGS. 13 a-b illustrate another step in the laparoscopic procedure inwhich the anterior anchor is urged toward the posterior anchor over aconnector.

FIGS. 14 a-c illustrate another step in the laparoscopic procedure inwhich the anterior and posterior walls of the stomach are urged togetherand the connector and the transgastric suture are cut flush with theanterior anchor.

FIGS. 15 a-b illustrate the placement of a continuous posterior anchorin the laparoscopic procedure.

FIGS. 15 c-d depicts a horizontal row of transgastric anchors andconnectors after their placement in the stomach.

FIG. 15 e-g depicts a configuration where both the anterior andposteriof fasteners are connected by a continuous mesh implant.

FIG. 16 depicts anchors of the present invention being used to secure anendoscopically placed gastric implant.

FIG. 17 a depicts a transgastric anchor assembly with afferent,efferent, and device end-effector pathways.

FIG. 17 b depicts a constricting band with afferent and efferentfeedback pathways.

FIG. 18 a-d depicts various configurations of constricting bands withvarious sensor configurations.

FIG. 19 depicts a surgical anastomosis outfitted with a sensory feedbacksystem.

FIG. 20 depicts a preferred embodiment of a gastroplasty device with acentral stoma and a feedback system for stimulation.

FIG. 21 depicts a schematic of a control system for a gastricrestriction device.

FIG. 22 depicts another schematic of a control system configuration withthe surgical procedure as the center of the control system includingsensory devices.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Anatomy of the Stomach

The region behind the stomach is referred to as the lesser peritonealsac. It is a potential space between the retroperitoneum and theposterior wall of the stomach. The proximal limit of the lesser sac isthe cardia of the stomach and the distal limit is the pylorus of thestomach; the superior limit is the liver and the inferior limit is theinferior border of the stomach. To the left of the midline, theposterior wall of the stomach is generally free from the peritonealsurface of the lesser sac and to the right of the midline, the posteriorwall of the stomach is more adherent to the peritoneum of the lesser sacalthough the adherence is generally loose and the adhesions can bebroken up rather easily with gentle dissection.

The stomach is comprised of several layers. The inner layer is themucosa. The next layer is the submucosa followed by the outer muscularlayers. Surrounding the muscular layers is the serosal layer. This layeris important with regard to implants and healing because it is theadhesive layer of the stomach; that is, it is the layer which, whenbreached, heals with scar tissue formation. Implants adhering to thislayer are less likely, or not likely, to migrate into the stomachwhereas implants only placed in the mucosal or submucosal layers willmigrate. Reference to “stomach wall” or “wall of the stomach” as usedherein include the entire thickness of the stomach, including themucosa, submucosa, muscular layers, and serosa. The “anterior wall ofthe stomach” is the portion of the stomach closest to the muscularabdominal wall and the “posterior wall of the stomach” is the part ofthe stomach closest to the retroperitoneum.

“Transgastric fastening assembly” or “fastening system” refers to apermanent or semi-permanent implant and comprises at least one posterioranchor, at least one anterior anchor, and a connector to couple theposterior and anterior anchors. “Fastener” and “anchor” have theirordinary meaning and are used interchangeably in this disclosure. The“connector” can refer to any means of connection including but notlimited to a material connection, an electromagnetic or magneticconnection, or a chemical connection. As used herein, a “connector” is acoupler or linker used to materially connect the anterior and posterioranchors. As used herein, the “posterior anchor” is the anchor in apreferred embodiment which is adjacent to the posterior wall of thestomach when deployed. The “anterior anchor” is the anchor in apreferred embodiment which is approximated to the anterior wall of thestomach when deployed.

As used herein and when referring to portions of a surgical instrument,“proximal” refers to the end of the instrument which is closest to thesurgeon when the instrument is used for its intended purpose, and“distal” refers to the end of the instrument which is closest to thepatient and when the instrument is used for its intended purpose. Whenused to refer to the gastrointestinal tract, “proximal” is toward themouth and “distal” is toward the anus.

“Laparoscopic procedure” broadly refers to procedures which requirepneumoperitoneum and general anesthesia. “Percutaneous procedure”broadly refers to surgeries which do not require general anesthesia orpneumoperitoneum. These broad terms are mutually exclusive for thepurposes of the ensuing invention because the respective proceduresrequire different levels of patient preparation and peri-operativetreatments and therefore define specific embodiments. Similarly,endoscopic procedure refers to procedures that are performed entirelywith an endoscope. In some descriptions, the terminology “percutaneousmeans” is used which generically refers to placing a surgical instrumentthrough the skin of a patient and using the surgical instrument toaccomplish a surgical task; in this more generic case, “percutaneousmeans” can be used with or without laparoscopic means and inlaparoscopic procedures. Similarly, “laparoscopic means” genericallyrefers to procedures performed under the guidance of an internal cameraplaced through the abdominal wall (that is, percutaneous means); in thismore generic sense, laparoscopy can be used with or without percutaneousmethodology though in most cases percutaneous means are a requirementfor laparoscopic procedure. Similarly, endoscopic means refers toprocedures involving some level of endoscopic visualization but is notcompleted with the endoscope alone whereas “endoscopic procedure” refersto a procedure performed entirely through an endoscope. “Surgery,”“surgical procedure,” and “surgically created” have their ordinarymeaning and with regard to the inventions herein, is all-encompassing,and refers to laparoscopic surgery, open surgery, endoscopic surgery,and percutaneous surgery.

“Patient afferent pathway” refers to a pathway which transmits a signalto the sensorium of a patient; for example, the vagus nerve carriesafferent fibers to the hypothalamus and pain centers of the brain.“Patient end-effector pathway refers to a pathway which directly effectsa result in an end-organ; for example, stimulation of contraction in thestomach. Patient efferent and end-effector pathways can overlap andtherefore, the terms should not be considered mutually exclusive; forexample, stimulation of the stomach likely stimulates some nerve fibersthat travel to the sensorium and stimulation of the vagus nerve likelystimulates the stomach. “Device afferent pathway” refers to a pathwaywhich transmits a sensory signal to a restriction device; for example, asensor which senses food intake transmits its signal to the restrictiondevice through a device afferent pathway. “Device efferent pathway”refers to a pathway which transmits a signal from a restriction deviceto a separate structure (e.g. a device end-effector pathway describedbelow) or device (e.g. patient afferent pathway, a patient end-effectorpathway, or a device end-effector pathway). A “device end-effectorpathway” is a signal that directly effects a device state; for example,the connector of a transgastric assembly is shortened or the diameter ofa restriction band undergoes a change in its diameter size.

“Exogenous gastric feedback loop” or “exogenous satiety pathway” referto implantable systems which enhance the biologic pathways which alreadyexist in a patient (the endogenous feedback systems). For example, theVBG and the Lap-Band™ both “tell” the patient that he/she is “full,” andconsequently to stop eating. That is, they induce a feeling of satiety(through dilation of the stomach proximal to the device) earlier thanwould otherwise be felt by the patient (this is an example of anendogenous satiety pathway). Exogenous or enhancement of these pathwaysrefers to embodiments in which the satiety signal can be controlledand/or enhanced. For example, a sensor can be place on a restrictiondevice and then a pathway, such as vagal nerve stimulation, can beactivated in response to feedback from the sensor; therefore, satiety isinduced at an earlier stage than if the endogenous feedback systems(stomach dilation) were relied upon.

“Gastric volume reducing devices, procedures and systems” and “gastricrestriction devices, procedures and systems” have their ordinarymeanings and overlap in meaning when the walls of the stomach arebrought closer together. In these cases, all volume reducing proceduresand restriction procedures which bring the walls of the stomach closertogether necessarily overlap in meaning. “Gastric restriction devices”refer generally to any devices which restrict the stomach in some way.Included (but not limited to) are devices such as transgastric fasteningassemblies, laparoscopic bands (e.g. the Lap-Band™), and intragastricballoons.

“Constricting bands” or “restricting bands” have their ordinary meaningand also refer to gastric restriction devices which surround theproximal region of the stomach. The constricting bands cause weight lossby restricting the food intake of the patient. In many cases, therestricting bands are adjustable balloons which are adjustablepercutaneously by way of a port implanted at the time of surgery. Thesebands rely on the patient to inform the surgeon about eating habits anddiscomfort which may limit their utility because the patient can “cheat”themselves. Furthermore, the monthly or so follow up visits arepotentially too infrequent to be useful. “Gastric restriction system”refers broadly to the restricting devices including both adjustablebands and devices such as transgastric fastening assemblies.

Transgastric Fastening Assembly

Referring to FIGS. 1A and 1B, one embodiment of the posterior anchor 14and connector 12 are shown in a deployed configuration (FIG. 1A), andreduced profile configuration (FIG. 1B). The connector 12 is preferablymade of a flexible, biocompatible polymer, but it can be made fromvarious kinds of suitable biocompatible materials known to those ofskill in the art including metals, such as titanium and platinum, metalalloys, such as stainless steel, nickel-titanium, and cobalt-chromium,man-made polymers, such as polyurethane, silicone elastomers,polyglycolic acid, polylactic acid, poly (c-caprolactone),polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), PTFE, FEP, polypropylene, or naturalfibers such as silk; bioartificial materials include allogenic andxenogenic collagen based products. These materials can be used singly orin combination (when the connector has two distinct components asopposed to one). For example, one portion of the connector may bebioabsorbable and another portion of the connector may be permanent; or,one part of the connector may be a sensor or active component, and theother part a coating. The connector can be continuous or discontinuous.The connector 12 can vary in thickness, shape, and rigidity. Forexample, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1A, the connector 12 issubstantially rod-shaped, with a circular cross-section, and isflexible. Those of skill in the art will recognize that thecross-section of the connector can be any of a number of shapes, such assquare, hexagonal, oval, etc. In other embodiments, the connector 12 isthin and flexible, such as a surgical suture, and in still others it isrigid. The connector can have a thickness ranging from 100 microns (e.g.suture) to several millimeters depending on the application. Although asingle connector is depicted as being attached to the posterior anchor,those skilled in the art will recognize that more than one, or severalconnectors can be connected to the anchor at different points on theanchor or as a combination attached to one point on the anchor (e.g. abundle). In some embodiments, the connector is made from athermoresponsive material such as a thermoresponsive polymer or metalsuch as shape memory alloy (e.g. nickel-titanium alloy). In otherembodiments, the connector is composed of at least one material whichconducts an electrical current through from the anterior anchor to theposterior anchor or from the posterior anchor to the anterior anchor.

In a preferred embodiment, the posterior anchor 14 is made from abiocompatible, radio-opaque, or magneto-opaque semi-rigid polymer; itcan also be made from various kinds of suitable materials known to thoseof skill in the art including metals, metal alloys, plastics, naturalmaterials or combinations thereof as discussed above in relation to theconnector 12. In some embodiments, the anchor is made from a conductivematerial and in other embodiments the anchor is made from a combinationof conducting, non-conducting, and/or semi-conducting materials. Theposterior anchor 14 can be solid, or alternatively, can be porous,mesh-like, lattice-like, or umbrella-like. In some embodiments, theanchor contains a potential space on the inside which can be expanded bya fluid (e.g. gas or liquid). In a preferred embodiment, the posterioranchor is porous or has a porous mesh attached to it to encouragefibrous ingrowth such that it becomes permanently attached to thestomach or intestinal wall. Coatings can be added to the anchor toencourage tissue ingrowth; of course, such coatings do not limit theability for the interior of the anchor to be a potential space forexpansion by a fluid. In other embodiments, the posterior anchor issolid and/or treated to discourage tissue ingrowth (e.g. with a siliconecoating). In other embodiments, the posterior anchor has a xenograft orallograft material attached to the anchor. In a preferred embodiment,the posterior anchor 14 is disc-shaped, but those of skill in the artwill recognize that other embodiments are possible, such as those shownin FIGS. 1C and 1D, or disclosed in U.S. Patent Application PublicationNo. 2004/0122456 which is herein incorporated by reference; noteparticularly the description of anchor structures. The posterior anchor,in other embodiments, can be rectangular or diamond shaped. Theposterior anchor can also be bioabsorbable in whole or in part in someembodiments. The largest dimension of the posterior anchor can rangefrom less than 1 mm to about 15 cm depending on the application and themanner in which it is implanted (see below). In the case where theposterior anchor is a disc shape, the diameter is considered the largestdimension.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the connector 12 is fastenedto the posterior anchor 14 at an attachment point 16 which is preferablya permanent, e.g. welded or molded, connection. Such a weld orconnection can comprise, for example, a thermoformed polymer, a metallicweld, or a molded or other integral structure. In a preferredembodiment, a biocompatible thermoformed polymer is used because of itsflexibility and ability to yield to the continuous motion of thestomach. More preferably, the connector and posterior anchor areproduced as a single, continuous structure (e.g. through an injectionmolding process).

Other suitable means of fastening the connector to the posterior anchorare also contemplated and do not necessarily result in a connector andposterior anchor becoming permanently attached. For example, in oneembodiment shown in FIG. 1C, one end of the connector is passed througha hole 20 near the center of the posterior anchor 22, and a stop 24,such as a knot or enlarged molded region, is formed on the end of theconnector to prevent its passage back through the hole in the posterioranchor. In this embodiment, the posterior anchor 22 can be free to movealong the length of the connector 26, but is prevented from beingremoved from one end of the connector by the stop 24.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the posterior anchor 14preferably has a deployed configuration (FIG. 1A), and a reduced profileconfiguration (FIG. 1B). The posterior anchor 14 can be deformed to afolded configuration wherein its profile is reduced to facilitateinsertion of the anchor through a laparoscopic port or through the wallsof the stomach or other tissue as described in more detail below. In oneembodiment, the posterior anchor 14 is made of a semi-flexible materialhaving shape memory, so that once the anchor is deployed within thepatient, it will return to its original shape shown in FIG. 1A,preventing it from being easily pulled back through the tissue.Preferably, the posterior anchor is inflatable in place of, or inaddition to, having shape memory, which allows for a much largerdeployed profile relative to its undeployed profile (see below). In someembodiments, the shape memory is activated by passing a current throughthe material. In some embodiments, the posterior anchor contains anintrinsic magnetic, ferromagnetic, electromagnetic, piezoelectric,paramagnetic, magnetorheologic, or other electrically or thermallyadjustable material and can apply a force to another part or portion ofthe anchor assembly. In some embodiments, the posterior anchor containselectrodes placed at the surface of the material such that theyintegrate with the organ they contact (e.g the stomach).

FIGS. 1D and 1E show an alternative embodiment of the posterior anchor30 and connector 32 in a deployed configuration (FIG. 1D) and a reducedprofile configuration (FIG. 1E). In this embodiment, the posterioranchor 30 is elongated, having major and minor dimensions, andpreferably having a rod or bar shape. By aligning the connector 32substantially parallel to the posterior anchor 30, its profile isreduced to facilitate insertion of the anchor through the walls of thestomach or other tissue. When the anchor leaves its surrounding sheath(see below), tension on the connector 32 in the direction of the arrowin FIG. 1E will urge the posterior anchor 30 into a substantiallyperpendicular orientation relative to the connector 32, as shown in FIG.1D, preventing it from easily being pulled back through the tissue. Theconnection between the posterior anchor 30 and the connector 32 can behinged. Alternatively, the connector 32 can be made of a semi-rigidmaterial which is permanently connected or welded to the posterioranchor 30. If the connector is deformed to a bent position, shown inFIG. 1E, it will return to its original straight shape shown in FIG. 1Donce the anchor is deployed within the patient, preventing the posterioranchor from easily being pulled back through the tissue. This anchor 30can be inflatable as well, which allows for a much larger deployedprofile relative to its undeployed profile.

In a preferred embodiment, shown in FIGS. 1F and 1G, the posterioranchor is inflatable. The anchor has an inflatable disc-shaped body 34which is readily deformable when in its reduced profile (e.g.,uninflated) configuration as shown in FIG. 1F. In the preferredembodiment, the posterior anchor body 34 is disc-shaped, but those ofskill in the art will recognize that other embodiments are possible,such as those shown in FIGS. 1C and 1D, or in which the inflatableanchors are square shaped, rectangular, or amorphous, or have a shapedisclosed in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2004/0122456 whichis herein incorporated by reference; note particularly the descriptionof anchor structures. The body can be inflated with a substancedelivered through a hollow connector 35. When the interior space 36 ofthe anchor body is inflated, the anchor assumes its deployedconfiguration shown in FIG. 1G. Once the body is inflated, it can becomesubstantially less compliant yet remain soft and pliable. The anchor canbe inflated from its reduced profile to its deployed profile. The sizeof the reduced profile can be less than 1 cm or less than 5 mm and thesize of the deployed profile can range from 1 cm to greater than 5 cm orgreater than 10 cm.

The inflatable posterior anchor can have a valve 38 located between theanchor body 34 and the connector 35. Alternatively, the valve is locatedin the portion of the connector located outside the patient, the valve(e.g. stopcock type valve) being controlled by the operator until theanterior anchor is placed (see below). In this alternative embodiment,the filling substance is trapped in the posterior anchor after theanterior anchor is deployed and the connector is cut and sealed,preferably flush with the anterior anchor (see below). The fillingsubstance can be a gas, liquid, or material which changes phase withtime (i.e. it may harden, cure, polymerize, or become a gel with time).Other materials such as magnetorheologic fluids (for example, magneticparticles immersed in an oil) can be used as well and such fluids wouldinterface with the electrical systems described below. Preferably, thesurface of the posterior anchor adjacent to the posterior wall of thestomach has a mesh fixed to it to encourage tissue ingrowth. In someembodiments, part or all of the anchor material is comprised of abiodegradable material.

In some embodiments, the anchor assembly and in particular the posterioranchor and connector combination are used for “extragastric volumereduction” of a region of the stomach (see below for more detail). Inthis embodiment, the posterior anchor can be adapted to be anextragastric restriction device and the anterior anchor-connector systemis used for fixation of the device to the abdominal wall. In thisembodiment, it may be desirable for the extragastric restriction deviceto have a shape that conforms to an area of the stomach such as the GEjunction. The connector can serve as a conduit to fill the extragastricballoon and can further be equipped with a valve to fill theextragastric balloon and prevent leaking of its contents. The transversewidth of the GE junction is typically 0.5 cm to 10 cm in almost theentire population and 1 cm to 5 cm in the majority of the population.The extragastric balloon should be shaped such that it can surround180-270 degrees of the GE junction or from 90 degrees to 360 degrees. Insome embodiments, the balloon can completely surround the GE junctionand in these embodiments, the balloon can be continuous ordiscontinuous.

FIG. 1H depicts another embodiment of posterior anchor of the currentinvention. The posterior anchor 37 and the connector 39 are separable inthis embodiment. In one embodiment, the first connector has an innerdiameter with a second connector (e.g. a suture) traveling through itslumen. A second connector 33 is disposed within the first connector 39.The second connector 33 can be one or more sutures for example. Thisfastening assembly would be used in a laparoscopic procedure where theconnector 39 would be placed through an organ before engaging theposterior anchor 37. In some embodiments, the posterior anchor can be aslarge as the width of the organ (e.g. 8-10 cm in the case when the organis the stomach). In some embodiments, the anchor 37 can be as small as 5mm or 1 cm. The anchor 37 can also be adapted to accommodate severalconnectors (FIGS. 15 c-d) rather than one connector at a time. The firstconnector 39 is adapted to engage the posterior anchor 37 after passingthrough tissue (e.g. the stomach). After contact between the outerconnector 39 and the posterior anchor 37, the outer connector 39 isremoved, leaving the inner connector 33 (e.g. the suture or sutures)attached to the posterior anchor 37 (FIG. 1J). The connection of thesuture to the posterior anchor is accomplished by any mechanical meanswell known to those skilled in the art.

FIG. 1L depicts another embodiment of the current invention in which theconnectors 47 in this embodiment are configured so that their length orlengths is/are adjustable. In an example of this embodiment shown inFIG. 1L, the connector is split (e.g. two sutures are used). The housing45 is attached to one half of the connector 47 and this half of theconnector is attached to the posterior anchor 49. Within housing 45, theconnector 47 can be shortened (and the tension between the two anchorsincreased) by turning inner cylinder 48 which changes the distance (andthe tension on the connector) between the two anchors 49, 51. In anotherembodiment, a solenoid based motor system can adjust the pulley andchange the length of the connector 47. Such adjustment can be done withan endoscope or can be done automatically with a wireless basedtransmitting system; in this embodiment, the implanted anchor assemblywill have an integral source of power and a controller system. Theadjustment can be done after (e.g. days, months, years) implantation ofthe fastening system within an organ such as the stomach.

Although FIGS. 1 a-l depict a single connector contacting the posterioranchor, those skilled in the art will recognize that more than oneconnector can be used to contact the posterior anchor. The more than oneconnector can be placed in any arrangement along the posterior anchor(e.g. in a row, in a pattern along the perimeter, or concentrated in thecenter). The more than one connector can be bundled and attached in oneplace on a second anchor or in multiple points on a second anchor.

Other methods of introducing adjustability of the transgastric anchorassembly exist as well and are useful in some embodiments. For example,the suture can be produced from a material such as nickel-titaniumalloy, the tension of which can be adjusted with an electrical currentor other means of introducing a temperature increase in the alloy. Insome embodiments below, the tension of the nickel-titanium alloy can beadjusted depending on an input parameter such as for example, the outputfrom a sensor integral to a gastric restriction device (see below formore detail). In another embodiment, a nickel-titanium alloy is a novelcomponent of a restricting band such as the Lap-Band™ (sec below) or anextragastric restriction device which does not completely surround thestomach. In some embodiments, both a transgastric assembly and arestricting band are implanted in the patient and in some embodiments,the transgastric fastening assembly has an adjustable nitinol connectorand in other embodiments, the restricting band has a nitinol ring whichis adjustable via electrical means. In some embodiments both thetransgastric anchor and the restricting band both have adjustablenitinol components.

In any of the embodiments above, the connector can serve as a sensor todetect the tension imposed on it by the two fasteners moving in oppositedirections. In embodiments where the connector serves as a sensor, theconnector can be composed of one or more different materials. One of thematerials can be a sensor or sensing material and the other serves as amaterial for mechanical strength. As discussed below, the connector(sensor) can serve as the afferent (device afferent) limb of a feedbackloop. The efferent (device efferent) pathway of the feedback loop can bean electrical lead, which communicates with, and stimulates a pathwaysuch as the vagus nerve (patient afferent pathway), a sympatheticpathway such as the celiac plexus, or a device efferent pathway which(for example) can adjust the degree of gastric volume reduction orrestriction. When some or all of these efferent (neural and mechanical)pathways are stimulated, a feeling of satiety can be created andcontrolled in a patient. Such pathways may decrease or eliminateproblems with constricting band and stapled gastroplasties because theyoffer solutions to decrease the amount of pressure applied by thedevices to the stomach until the pressure is needed (when the patient iseating for example). Such methods and devices can potentially decreasethe problems with erosion and reflux. Furthermore, the adjustment of thedevice can be taken out of the hands of the patient and controlled bythe device and the surgeon. Furthermore, battery power can be conservedby apply electrical stimulation only when the patient is eating.

In an embodiment, the connector (or part of the connector) can take theform of a strain gauge in which a potential is generated which isproportional to the tension (stress) applied to it. The strainmeasurement in the connector can be transmitted wirelessly or through awired connection to an effector limb (patient or device efferentpathway) of the circuit or to an external receiver. In otherembodiments, the strain measurement is transmitted through a wiredcircuit (e.g. from the strain gauge directly to the efferent pathway ofthe feedback loop). In some embodiments, the efferent effector pathwayis stimulation of the stomach wall surrounding the fasteners or thestomach wall in a place some distance away from the transgastricfastener assembly such as the peri-pyloric region. Stimulation of apatient end-effector (e.g. the stomach) pathway can be transmittedthrough the fastener itself or through a separately attached electrode.

In an alternative embodiment, the efferent limb of the feedback loop isan electrical lead which communicates with a cutaneous stimulator tonegatively enforce excessive feeding behavior. In this embodiment,feedback to the patient is not necessarily a satiety signal but acutaneous feedback signal which alerts the patient to an overfeedingstate.

The algorithm between the afferent and efferent pathway can be a simpleone in which the efferent pathway has an on or off status depending onthe level of stimulation from the afferent pathway. Alternatively, therelationship between the afferent and efferent pathways is non-linear.For example, as the strain increases, the efferent signal increases two-three- or fold. If the strain increases further, the efferent signal canincrease in an exponential manner (for example, eight to ten-fold).Other patterns are possible as well and these patterns can be programmedinto the controller or signal generator and represent the algorithmicaspects of the stimulation system. Nevertheless, the relationshipbetween inputs and outputs of the system can be programmed from alocation external to the devices and system (e.g. the surface of thepatient or a remote location such as a physician's office).

FIGS. 2A (perspective view) and 2B (plan view) show an embodiment of theanterior anchor 40. The anterior anchor has a disc-shaped body 42 with ahole or other passageway 44 substantially in the middle of the body.Although the hole is shown in the center of the anchor, those skilled inthe art will recognize that the hole can be placed anywhere along theface of the anterior anchor and/or more than one hole can be created inthe anchor. Two or more gripping elements 46 project into the center ofthe hole or other passageway. With respect to the gripping elements,there can be as few as one or more than two. The gripping elements cancircumscribe the entire opening or they can be discrete components 46.The gripping elements can be macroscopic as shown in FIG. 2A or they canbe microscopic like sandpaper (not shown). The gripping elements mayhave teeth 50 angled toward the top surface of the anchor. Optionally,two hooks 52, or other graspable recesses, appendages, or structures,are located on the top surface of the anterior anchor. Hooks 52 allowfor attachment of a surgical instrument during deployment of theanterior anchor in the patient as described below. Alternatively, therecan be none, one, two or more than two graspable recesses, appendages,or structures on the top surface of the anchor. In the preferredembodiment, the anterior anchor body 42 is disc-shaped, but those ofskill in the art will recognize that other embodiments are possible, asdisclosed in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2004/0122456 whichis herein incorporated by reference; note particularly the descriptionof anchor structures. The anterior anchor (or the transgastric fasteningassembly) can also be wholly comprised of or only partially comprised ofone or more magnetic, magnetorheologic, or electromagnetic components.In these embodiments, an electric current is applied to the anchorswhich either causes attraction of the anchors (e.g. when the anchorscontain electromagnets), or results in an increase in the viscositywithin the anchors resulting in a resistance to the flow of food(magnetorheologic embodiment). Alternatively, in other embodiments, theanterior anchor (or the transgastric fastening assembly) carries one ormore weights within it such that gravity causes the intestinal walls tocome together (and provide a resistance to food) as a result of theweights within the anchors.

FIGS. 2C and 2D are cross sections of the anterior anchor of FIGS. 2Aand 2B, taken along the line B-B in FIG. 2B. FIG. 2C shows the anterioranchor in its deployed configuration with the connector 12 of FIG. 1Apassing through the hole or other passageway 44 in the body of theanchor. In the deployed configuration, the gripping elements 46 andteeth 50 engage the connector 12 with sufficient pressure to preventmovement of the anchor along the connector 12 in the direction of thearrow in FIG. 2C, which would increase the distance between the anterioranchor and posterior anchor (not shown). In the case where the connectoris a suture, the surface of the suture can be roughened to enablegripping by the anchor. In FIG. 2D, the anterior anchor 40 is in itsreduced profile configuration with the connector 12 of FIG. 1A passingthrough the hole or other passageway 44 in the body of the anchor.Preferably, the anterior anchor is made of a semi-rigid polymer whichallows the anchor to be deformed into a substantially foldedconfiguration illustrated in FIG. 2D. When in this configuration, thegripping elements 46 and teeth 50 do not significantly engage theconnector 12. This allows movement of the anterior anchor 40 along thelength of the connector 12 in the directions illustrated by the arrowsin FIG. 2D. Once the anterior anchor is in the desired position alongthe connector 12, the anterior anchor is permitted to return to theconfiguration shown in FIG. 2C, and the gripping elements 46 and teeth50 engage the connector 12, thus preventing movement between theconnector 12 and the anterior anchor 40. Importantly as described abovein some embodiments, the anterior fastener is slideable along theconnector in a reversible fashion. For example, when the fastener iscompressed to its undeployed configuration from its expandedconfiguration, the fastener can once again move (or be moved) along theconnector. This feature may be a highly desirable one as it will allowfor adjustability after deployment of the fastener because the processcan be reversed and the fastener repositioned.

In an alternative embodiment, it is contemplated that the connector 12can have notches 51, which interact with gripping elements 46 in aratchet-and-pawl mechanism similar to that used in cable ties, providinga one-way adjustability, in which the posterior and anterior anchors canbe moved toward each other, but not away from each other.

FIGS. 2E and 2F illustrate another embodiment of an anterior anchor 60which is similar to the one illustrated in FIGS. 2C and 2D. In FIG. 2E,the gripping elements 62 and teeth 64 are oriented so that the anterioranchor can be deformed such that the top surface of the anchor is foldedinward as illustrated in FIG. 2F. This is in contrast to the embodimentillustrated in FIG. 2D where the bottom surface of the anchor is foldedinward. The teeth 64 in FIG. 2E are angled toward the top surface of theanterior anchor and engage the connector 12 of FIG. 1A such that theyprevent movement of the anterior anchor along the connector 12 in thedirection of the arrow in FIG. 2E, which would increase the distancebetween the anterior anchor and posterior anchor (not shown).

FIG. 2G is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment where theanterior anchor is inflatable. The anterior anchor is inflateable from areduced state of approximately 5 mm or 1 cm to greater than 5 cm togreater than 10 cm The anterior anchor has a hollow, inflatabledisc-shaped body 65 with a hole or other passageway 66 substantially inthe middle of the body to track the connector. Two gripping elements 67project into the center of the hole or other passageway, although therecan be as few as one or more than two gripping elements. The grippingelements can have teeth 68 angled toward the top surface of the anchor.Alternatively, in a preferred embodiment, the gripping elements are inthe form of a rough surface rather than the protruding elements as shownin FIG. 2G. Such a surface, which may be a sandpaper-like surface,creates enough friction to prevent movement in either direction alongthe connector. Optionally, two hooks 69 are located on the top surfaceof the anterior anchor. Hooks 69 facilitate grasping by a surgicalinstrument during deployment of the anterior anchor in the patient asdescribed below. Alternatively, rather than hooks, there can be one ormore graspable protrusions on the body. In yet another embodiment, thereare no hooks or graspable protrusions, and the body of the anchor isgrasped directly to manipulate the anchor. In another embodiment,protrusions 69 are magnetic or otherwise sticky (e.g. Velcro) in natureto facilitate attachment to a surgical instrument.

An inflation tube 63 is used to inflate and deflate the anterior anchor.This inflation tube may or may not have a valve. In one preferredembodiment, the anterior anchor is filled with gas or fluid through theinflation tube and the fluid is held inside the anchor through anexternal (e.g. stopcock) valve controlled by the operator. When theinflation tube is cut at the end of the procedure, the inflation line iscrimped closed thereby locking the inflating substance inside theanchor. Alternatively, the shears used to cut the inflation line can bemetal and an electrocautery current can be applied through the shearsand to the inflation line to weld it closed.

FIGS. 2H and 2I are cross sections of the anterior anchor of FIG. 2G,taken along the line D-D in FIG. 2G. The disc-shaped body 65 is readilydeformable when in its reduced profile (i.e., uninflated) configurationas shown in FIG. 2I. The body can be inflated with a substance deliveredthrough the inflation tube 63. When anchor body is inflated, the anchorassumes its deployed (i.e. inflated) configuration as shown in FIG. 2Hwith the connector 12 of FIG. 1A passing through the hole 66 in the bodyof the anchor. In the deployed configuration, the gripping elements 67and teeth 68 engage the connector 12 with sufficient pressure to preventmovement of the anchor along the connector 12 in the direction of thearrow in FIG. 2H, which would increase the distance between the anterioranchor and posterior anchor (not shown). Alternatively, rather thandefined gripping elements and teeth, the surface of body which definesthe sides of the hole or other passageway 66 can be configured such thatwhen the anchor body is inflated, the sides of the hole or otherpassageway expand to substantially close off the hole or otherpassageway and limit movement of the anchor relative to the connectorthrough friction between the connector and the anchor.

In FIG. 2I, the anterior anchor 65 is in its reduced profile (i.e.uninflated) configuration with the connector 12 of FIG. 1A passingthrough the hole 66 in the body of the anchor. When in thisconfiguration, the anchor body is readily deformable and the grippingelements 67 and teeth 68 do not significantly engage the connector 12.This allows movement of the anterior anchor 65 along the length of theconnector 12 in the directions illustrated by the arrows in FIG. 2I.Once the anterior anchor is in the desired position along the connector12, the anterior anchor is inflated by a filling substance deliveredthrough the inflation tube 63, and the anchor assumes its deployed (i.e.inflated) configuration as shown in FIG. 2H; the gripping elements 67and teeth 68 engage the connector 12, thus restricting movement of theanterior anchor 65 in one or both directions along the length of theconnector 12. The filling substance can be a gas, liquid, or materialwhich changes phase with time (i.e. it may harden, cure, polymerize, orbecome a gel with time). In some embodiments, the filler substance is amagnetorheologic fluid the viscosity of which can be changed with amagnetic field (e.g. it can be turned on or off).

FIG. 3A illustrates another embodiment of an anterior anchor 70consisting of two parts, an anchor body 72 and a readily deformablecollar 74. The anchor body and collar have a central hole or otherpassageway (76 and 78 respectively) through which the connector canpass. Preferably, the anterior anchor body is made of a semi-rigidpolymer which can be deformed into a folded configuration with a reducedprofile as illustrated in FIG. 3B. Preferably, the readily deformablecollar 74 is permanently deformable; i.e., once deformed, it does notreturn to its original shape. As illustrated by the arrow in FIG. 3B,both the collar 74 and anchor body 72 can move along the connector 12 ofFIG. 1A. Once the anchor body 72 is in the desired position, the collar74 is crushed, such that the collar 74 engages the connector 12 and canno longer move along the length of the connector 12. This prevents theanchor body 72 from moving along the length of the connector 12 in thedirection of the arrow illustrated in FIG. 3C, which would increase thedistance between the anterior anchor and posterior anchor (not shown).FIG. 3D illustrates an alternative embodiment of the anterior anchor 80,where the anchor body 82 and deformable collar 84 are a single piece.

In a preferred embodiment, the anterior anchor is made from abiocompatible, radio- or magneto-opaque polymer, but it can also be madefrom various kinds of suitable materials known to those of skill in theart including metals, metal alloys, plastics, natural materials orcombinations thereof as disclosed above; the anchor material can also bea biodegradable material. The anterior anchor can be solid, oralternatively, can be porous, mesh-like, umbrella-like or lattice-like.In a preferred embodiment, the anterior anchor is porous, mesh-like,umbrella-like or lattice-like to encourage fibrous ingrowth such that itbecomes permanently attached to the stomach wall. Coatings can be addedto the anchor, or a mesh material such as polypropylene can be fixed tothe anchor surface, such that it touches the anterior stomach wall andencourages tissue ingrowth. In other embodiments, the anterior anchor issolid and treated to discourage tissue ingrowth with materials such assilicone, PTFE, or FEP which are generally hydrophobic and non-reactive.In one embodiment, one side of the anchor is produced from PTFE and theother side of the anchor is produced from polypropylene. In otherembodiments, the anterior anchor has a xenograft or allograft materialattached to the anchor which can encourage tissue ingrowth. In apreferred embodiment, the anterior anchor is disc-shaped andsubstantially flat, but those of skill in the art will recognize thatother embodiments are possible; for example, the anterior anchor can beelongate and/or continuous and can range in size from 5 mm to 10 cm, inwhich case, it can traverse the length or width of the stomach.

In some embodiments, the anterior anchors can have electrodes which cancommunicate electrically with a tissue (e.g. the stomach) after theanterior anchors are positioned in contact with the tissue (e.g. thestomach). The electrodes can pass through the material to communicateelectrically with the connector traveling through the anterior fastener.The electrodes can communicate with other effector pathways (e.g. thevagus nerve or the muscle of the stomach) located at different anatomicregions from the anterior fastener.

In any of the above embodiments, the anterior and posterior anchors aswell as the connector can have one or more magnets (electromagnetic,paramagnetic, magnetorheologic, or ferromagnetic materials) disposedwithin or on their surfaces. Such magnet can serve a variety ofpurposes. In one example, the magnets serve as actuators to forcefullymaintain the walls of the stomach together through their inherent andcontinuous (or discontinuous in the case of an electromagnet) magneticinteraction. In other embodiments, the magnets serve as sensors to sensethe amount of food taken in by a patient; in this embodiment, a changein a magnetic field (relative movement of the magnets) is detected as aninductive current and can be correlated to food intake. Such sensingmechanisms are well known in the mechanical arts. In another embodiment,the anchors contain a magnetorheologic fluid which can respond to anelectrical current. When stimulated with a magnetic field, themagnetorheologic fluid will undergo a change in viscosity and create amore or less compliant anchor or connector. In this embodiment, onceelectrically charged, the increase in viscosity will enhance the effectof the anchors in creating restriction or volume reduction (or both) ofthe stomach (for example).

Multi-Effector Gastric Restriction Structures and Devices

In some embodiments, the transgastric fastening assemblies serve toreduce the volume of the stomach or restrict the entry of food, and inaddition, provide for electrical stimulation and/or sensing;furthermore, the gain, or the relationship between an input parameterand an output parameter of the device, can be assigned prior toimplantation of the device and/or can be adjusted after implantation ofthe device. In these embodiments, an electrical signal runs throughelectrodes in the transgastric fastening assemblies enroute from asensor or enroute to alter the contraction patterns of the stomachand/or to electrically create a feeling of satiety through one or moreafferent patient nervous pathways. Electrical stimulation can enhance orwork synergistically with volume reduction and/or the creation of arestriction to flow in the stomach. Thus, fastener assemblies of thepresent invention can serve as sensing and/or stimulation structureswhich are useful, for example, in the creation of exogenous satietyfeedback loops (see below).

In one embodiment, an exogenous gastric feedback loop (see FIG. 17 a) isdescribed; a satiety feedback pathway is created surgically byimplanting a transgastric fastening assembly 700 wherein the connector712 is adapted to be a strain gauge (or have a strain gauge as anintegral component) and the fastening assembly 700 is further connectedvia a device efferent pathway 720 to a patient afferent pathway such asthe vagus nerve 722. Additional examples of patient afferent pathwaysinclude the parasympathetic or sympathetic nervous system which containpatient afferent satiety nerve fibers. In other embodiments, the deviceafferent pathway (strain gauge sensor) communicates with a deviceend-effector pathway. For example, if the connector 712 were producedfrom a shape memory alloy such as nitinol (nickel-titanium), theconnector 712 could be induced to decrease in size (generate extratension) when an electrical current (heat) passes through it. In someembodiments, the strain gauge is located in proximity to the connectorbut is not the same device as the connector.

In one example, when the strain gauge is activated (e.g. by food passingthrough the stomach), a message is transmitted to the connector at whichpoint the connector contracts to thereby prevent the flow of food intothe stomach. Alternatively (or in addition to) in another embodiment,activation of the strain gauge transmits a signal to the device efferentpathway 720 which in turn sends a signal to the patient afferent pathway722.

In addition, a gain controller 710 can be provided on the device in oneembodiment in order to adjust the relative action (increase in connectortension or degree of stimulation of the vagus nerve) related to thesensing parameter. This device configuration allows the device to applytension only when necessary (e.g. when food flows into the stomach). Insome embodiments, this device configuration can allow for minimaltension to be applied to the device except when required (e.g. when foodflows into the stomach). This configuration can save power, may alsolead to a decreased tendency for erosion of the devices, and/or mayprevent associated complications with the devices such as the Lap-Band™such as reflux.

In another embodiment of an exogenous satiety pathway (FIG. 17B), arestricting band type device 815 is placed around a portion of thestomach. As is known to those in the art, the restricting bandstypically contain a balloon contained within the outer shell. Anadditional inventive feature is to endow the restricting device 815 withthe ability to sense the circumferential tension or pressure such as,for example, would be created when food flows through the distalesophagus and proximal stomach or when a peristaltic wave approaches therestricting structure. Surgical restricting devices which circumscribethe gastroesophageal junction are well-known in the art (see forexample, U.S. Pat. No. 6,464,697); these surgical constricting devicescan be further fitted with pressure or volume sensors (e.g. acircumferential strain sensor) 817 in order to create device afferentpathways 817 which respond to the feeding state and simulate (via deviceefferent pathways 821) patient end-effector pathways 822 (e.g. gastricmuscle), device end-effector pathways (e.g nitinol bands), patientafferent pathways such as the vagus nerve 820, or other elements of thevisceral nervous system (e.g. sympathetic plexus). Sensor 817 can alsocommunicate directly with a device end-effector pathway; for example,rather than a balloon, the band can be produced from an electricallyresponsive material such as nickel-titanium. In this embodiment, thematerial (and therefore the entire constricting band) can be induced tocontract when electricity is run through the material, which generatesheat to induce a shape change in the material (in this case to generatean increase in tension). In this embodiment, the tension of the band andtherefore its restricting ability are controllable through the shapememory material.

In some embodiments, the band also has a balloon which is adjusted bynickel-titanium or by a magnetorheologic fluid (for example), which canalso be used to fill the balloon portion of the band. After detecting afeeding state, an electric current passes through the magnetorheologicfluid or through an electromagnet which allow the band to become firmer,more viscous, or less compliant, and thereby more difficult for food topass through the band. In states when the patient is not taking anyfood, the fluid inside the balloon is soft and does not apply pressureto the stomach wall.

By detecting the flow of food through the region of the restrictiondevice and inducing restriction electrically in these embodiments, thestress on the stomach can be limited to predominantly the “on” time ofthe restricting device. This arrangement can limit the tendency forerosion exhibited by implantable devices and can also limit the powerrequirement for electrical stimulation or to change the diameter of theband. In other embodiments, the device end-effector pathways whichadjust the restriction elements run in parallel with the sensor but arecomposed of separate materials. In some embodiments, these devices arefurther equipped with gain control in which the relationship between theinputs and outputs can be modified. Such gain controls can further bemodified externally with a wireless type transmitter.

Exogenously created satiety pathways can further contain a controlsystem 819 (FIGS. 17B,21,22) which can communicate externally through(for example) wireless transmitters 827 for recording and gainadjustment. The control system 819 can incorporate device afferentpathways 815 (integral sensor 817 such as a strain gauge in oneembodiment) such that recording of pressure or volume changes in thedistal esophagus, pH in the stomach, relative movement of the afferentsensor, strain or stress on the transgastric connector orcircumferential bands, or relative movement of the fasteners of thetransgastric fastening assembly, can be fed to the control system 819.Furthermore, the control system 819 has controllable or programmablegains such that the response (e.g. the patient afferent 820, deviceafferent 815, device efferent 825, device end-effector 831, and patientend-effector 833 pathways) to stimulation is increased or decreased. Thegain control can occur with a wireless type 827 transmitting device insome embodiments. Importantly, the schematics of the control system inFIGS. 21,22 are only one depiction of many possible pathway andinput-output flow. The various boxes, lines, sensors, and actuators canbe mixed and matched in any combination to provide a beneficial effectfor a patient. Additional sensors and actuators can be added to thesystem as well. Some actuators may even be placed outside the abdomen toalert patients or physicians of patient behaviors.

In another embodiment, a sensor (device afferent pathway) 817 isimplanted using the methods and devices described herein (e.g. theconnector-fastener system and implantation tools described above andbelow); the sensor 817 can communicate with or be a component of thestimulator and/or the restriction device. In one embodiment, a sensor isplaced in the stomach wall (with or without a restricting structure) andsenses stretch in the stomach; in another embodiment, the sensor detectstransgastric stress and strain or circumferential stress or strain. Thissensor can communicate with the stimulator or restricting device tocreate a feedback loop in which stretch is sensed (the sensor) and thena signal is sent to the stimulator portion of the system (e.g. thedevice efferent pathway) wherein a nerve (e.g. the patient afferentpathway), for example, the vagus nerve or sympathetic plexus, isstimulated to prompt the patient to slow their intake of food. Theend-effecter (patient end-effector pathway) of the feedback loop doesnot have to be a nervous structure and in some embodiments is a muscularportion of the stomach or duodenum such as the pyloric channel, theantrum, the cardia, or the fundus. In some embodiments, the patientend-effecter pathway is a stimulus such as a small electrical currentunder the skin to inform the patient that the stomach is full and tostop food intake. In another embodiment, the patient end-effector is anaudible alarm. In some embodiments, the device end-effector pathway isan actuator on the gastric band or near to the band and the end-effectorcan have its power output automatically adjusted. In one embodiment, atransgastric fastening assembly serves to reduce the volume of thestomach as well as provide for electrical stimulation. In thisembodiment, an electrical signal runs through electrodes in thetransgastric fastener assembly to possibly alter the contractionpatterns of the stomach or to electrically create a feeling of satietyin addition to reducing the volume of the stomach and creating arestriction to flow in the stomach. Thus, fastener assemblies of thepresent invention can serve as electrodes which are useful, for example,for gastric electrical stimulation.

In one embodiment, an exogenous satiety pathway is recreated surgicallyby implanting a transgastric fastening assembly wherein the connector isadapted to be a strain gauge. In this embodiment, transgastric anchorsserve as anchors and/or stimulators and/or sensors in addition toreducing volume or causing mechanical restriction. The fasteningassembly is further connected via a device efferent pathway to a patientafferent pathway. Examples of patient afferent pathways include theparasympathetic or sympathetic nervous systems which contain patientafferent fibers which can induce satiety.

In another embodiment, a satiety pathway is recreated surgically byplacing a constricting device around a portion of the stomach where theconstricting device is able to sense circumferential tension or pressuresuch as, for example, would be created when food flows through thedistal esophagus and proximal stomach. Surgical constricting devicesinclude devices such as the Lap-Band™, transgastric anchor assemblies,or the extragastric restricting devices (e.g. a balloon) discussedbelow. Any or all of these devices can also be placed around or near ananastomosis such as a Roux-n-Y anastomosis. FIGS. 17B, 18, 21, 22 depicta constricting device 815, 1000 within an obesity treatment system.Sensor 1010 detects a stimulus, the signal is interpreted by the devicecontrol system 825, and the signal is delivered to a patient efferent,device end-effector (for example further constriction of a nitinol basedband or balloon), device efferent, and/or patient end-effector pathway.

In FIGS. 18 a-c, a surgically placed banding system 1000 is depictedaround the proximal stomach 1005. The band system 1000 comprises arestricting structure 1030 and balloon 1020 which acts to restrict theflow of food into the stomach relative to the pressure in the balloonwhich initially is dependent on the volume of fluid in the balloon 1010;in this embodiment, the balloon can be fitted with a sensor (e.g.pressure sensor) to provide information about feeding habits includingfrequency of meals, volume of meals, and consistency (e.g. caloricintake). The pressure sensor 1020 can be incorporated into the fluidfillable balloon 1010 of constricting system 1000. When food passesthrough the lumen of the restricting device, the pressure increasesinside the balloon 1010, signaling patient ingestion. The pressuressensor 1020 can detect changes in balloon pressure as a bolus of foodpasses through the constricting device system 1000. Although onepressure sensor is used in one preferred embodiment, in alternativeembodiments, one or more pressure sensors (1020 in FIG. 18B), strain, orother sensors can be coupled to one another or directly to the balloon.

In one embodiment (FIG. 18D), one or more pressure sensors 1085 areincorporated into the port 1080 of a laparoscopic band. The portcommunicates directly with the balloon. When fluid is introduced intothe port by a surgeon, the pressure in the balloon is measured in orderto determine and set the volume of the balloon. In this embodiment,pressure sensors communicate directly with the fluid chamber of the portand therefore communicate directly with the pressure in the balloon.Sensing pressure directly in the port can be advantageous because theballoon and or surgery does not have to be modified to add a pressuresensing to the treatment regime of the patient. Furthermore, in patientswhom already have a band in place, the port can be changed withouthaving to worry about the balloon; therefore, a band which is already inplace can be outfitted to sense pressure. Further, the port of a balloonalready on the market can be retrofitted with pressure sensors, a powersupply, and a telemetry without having to develop or change the balloonthe patient already has in place. All of these sensing devices canfurther be adjusted, changed or calibrated when the port is accessedpercutaneously.

In one preferred embodiment, a pressure sensor can be incorporated intothe bottom portion of the port 1080 by cutting a hole in the port andplacing the pressure sensor through the hole so that it is in fluidcommunication with the fluid inside the port. The sensor can furthercommunicate with a transmitter (e.g. a wireless transmitter) 1090 andpower supply. The power supply does not have to be implanted; forexample, power can be delivered inductively and remotely to the pressuresensor through the skin. Furthermore, the pressure sensor cancommunicate with an automated system which fills and/or empties the portbased on measurements from the pressure sensor.

In some embodiments, sensor 1020 is not a pressure sensor but atemperature sensor, pH sensor, etc. The pressure sensor is incorporatedinto system 1060, which in one embodiment is an electronic controlsystem which incorporates the pressure sensor and the output 1050 (e.g.a stimulator). Output 1050 is any of the patient or device efferent orafferent outputs described above and below; in one embodiment, theoutput pathway is a stomach muscle stimulator 1070 which also stimulatesvagal afferents and/or vagal efferent pathways. Required, but not shownis a source of power which, as is well-known in the art, is required foroperation of the system and can be delivered remotely or through anintegral power supply.

FIG. 19 depicts a surgically created restriction system 1200 can beplaced near or around an anastomosis 1230. In one embodiment, a band1205 is ultilized as the restriction as well as the structureincorporating a sensor. In another embodiment, surgical clips, sutures,and/or staples 1230 are utlilized as sensors for the system 1200. Inanother embodiment, a port is attached to the constricting band andcontains the sensor. In one embodiment, an effector system, such as avagal nerve stimulator 1240, is incorporated into the surgically createdrestriction system 1200. As described in other embodiments, there areother system outputs which can be combined with or used in place of thevagal nerve stimulator 1240. Additional components of the otherembodiments above and below can be incorporated into the system depictedin FIG. 19. These additional components include telemetry, adjustablegain, power, etc. In addition, although a restricting band 1205 isdepicted, other structures such as the transgastric fastening systems ordevices similar to the Lap-Band™ can be used in place of the restrictingband in this system 1200 at a surgically created anastomosis 1230.

FIG. 20 depicts a surgically created restriction system placed at theinlet of the stomach. In this embodiment, the restricting portion of thesystem 1300 is a transgastric assembly as described above. Sensingsystem 1060 communicates with the transgastric assembly 1300, processingthe physical parameter (e.g. stress/strain) associated with the assembly1300 and delivering an output signal to a device such as an electricalstimulator 1070.

In another embodiment of the current invention, a neurostimulator orneurostimulator lead is a component of the restriction or volumereducing device (but does not have to be an integral component; forexample, it can be distal in the stomach yet communicate with therestricting device) and is placed in the serosal layer of the stomach orsmall intestine to stimulate the muscular or nervous portion of thestomach or small intestine (e.g. the duodenum). In some embodiments, thestimulator contacts and acts on the parasympathetic, the enteric, or thesympathetic nervous system; in other embodiments, the stimulator acts onthe muscular portion of the stomach. The stimulator can be placedanywhere along the stomach including the anterior and/or posterior wallsof the stomach. In some embodiments, the stimulator contacts the mucosaand in other embodiments, the stimulator does not contact the mucosa. Insome embodiments, a sensor is placed as a component of the stimulator oras a separate device. In some embodiments, the stimulator furthercommunicates with a second or third stimulator through a wired orwireless connection.

FIG. 22 further depicts a system for weight control with a surgicallycreated restriction at the center 1100. The system contains one or moreoutput potential pathways such as gastric wall stimulation 1110 and/orvisceral stimulation 1120. The system also can contain adjustable gaincontrols 1130 which control the relationship between the restrictiondevice 1100 and the inputs and outputs. The gains are adjustable from alocation external to the patient, or in some cases, are internallyadjustable (e.g. through an endoscope). A telemetry system 827 allowsfor outside monitoring and/or adjustment of the system. A furthercomponent of the system is the ability of the system to detect 1140,store, and transmit 827 sensory and motor information from the effectorpathways 1110 and 1120. This information includes voltages, amplitudesand waveforms from neural pathways such as the parasympathetic,sympathetic, gastric muscle, and enteric nervous pathways. Wheninterpreted in relation to patient ingestion and type of ingestion,these signals can be used to further understand satiety signalsgenerated in reponse to ingestion. In this manner, the system canessentially learn from itself and be optimized for each patient.

Extragastric Restriction Devices

In another embodiment, an extragastric balloon (FIGS. 11A-11C) is usedto reduce the volume of the stomach and/or create a barrier to the flowof food and a restrictor to the flow of food. FIG. 11 a depicts theballoon 430 in the undeployed configuration. The balloon is placedthrough a trocar port 306 after the trocar port has been placed betweenthe peritoneum and the anterior wall of the stomach as described indetail above and below. FIG. 11B shows an embodiment of an extragastricballoon 430 in its deployed state. The balloon 430 is attached to theabdominal wall by any of the percutaneous anchor-connector assembliesand methods described above. Stem 432 is the residual from the connectorused to place the balloon with an optional access port/valve for furtherinflation and/or deflation after the balloon is placed. Anchor 434 issimilar to the anterior anchors described above can be placed betweenthe muscular portion of the abdominal wall 304 and the subcutaneous fator between the anterior layer of muscular fascia and the muscle (e.g.the rectus muscle). In some embodiments, the balloon is placed close tothe pylorus or at the fundus of the stomach close to the GE junction andcan optionally be contoured 433 to partially of completely surround theGE junction or the pyloric outlet. In some embodiments (FIG. 11 c), theposterior portion of the balloon is fixed 436 to the outer or innerportion of the stomach using any of the fastening systems describedabove. The balloon can further be combined with a transgastric anchorassembly to aid its attachment, to control tension on the transgastricassembly, or to synergize with the transgastric anchor assembly. Theposterior portion of the balloon can be fixed to the anterior gastricwall with an anchor delivered through the stomach with an endoscope.

The extragastric balloon can be placed anywhere along the stomach, evenat a position 1-5 cm below the gastroesophageal junction at the sameplace where laparoscopically placed adjustable gastric bands arecurrently placed. The balloon can further be shaped to partiallycircumscribe, or form a lumen (fully circumscribe) around, a structuresuch as the gastroesophageal junction. Even though the balloon maycompletely circumscribe the stomach, it does not necessarily have to bea continuous ring and can be discontinuous even though it forms acomplete ring when fully expanded. In some embodiments, multipleballoons are implanted. The extragastric balloons can further beconfigured to act as stimulators and can deliver electrical current orsense certain parameters such as peristaltic contraction or foodboluses. This information can be used to increase or decrease the volumeof the balloon accordingly.

As described above, any of the extragastric balloon embodiments canfurther contain an integral sensor to detect changes in volume (forexample, volume and/or pressure changes) of the restricted portion ofthe stomach. Such changes in volume can then be used to create satietyfeedback loops to deter the patient from further food intake (asdiscussed above and below, for example, vagal nerve stimulation).

In some embodiments, mechanical fixation structures are used to attachthe balloon to the serosa of the stomach. Other means of attachingballoons to the stomach include adhesives, pledgets, expandable anchors,etc. The connector-anchor systems above are used to attach the balloonto the abdominal wall. The connector can further serve as an inflationvalve for the extragastric balloon.

Surgical Instruments

Surgical instruments which can be used to implant many of the devices ofthis invention are disclosed. The surgical instruments represent oneexample of the methods to implant the disclosed device but not the onlypossible means for implantation. Any of the devices and/or methodsand/or features of the current inventions can be implanted with anendoscopic procedure in addition to endoscopic means to assist apercutaneous procedure or an endoscopic means to assist a laparoscopicprocedure.

FIG. 4A illustrates one embodiment of a tissue grasping instrument 200.The tissue grasper has a tubular outer sleeve 210 to which a portion ofa handle 212 is attached at the proximal end. As shown in more detail inthe blow-up, FIG. 4A′, disposed within the outer sleeve 210 is a tubularinner member 214 which has an outer diameter such that it can slidewithin the outer sleeve 210 in the longitudinal axis of the outer sleeve210 but cannot move substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis ofthe outer sleeve 210. At the proximal end of the inner member, a secondportion of a handle 216 is attached. At the distal end of the innermember is a pair of jaws 220 which is connected to the inner member at ahinge point 222. When the distal end of the inner member 214 isdisplaced from the inside of the outer sleeve 210 such that the hingepoint 222 is outside the outer sleeve, the jaws 220 assume their openposition as depicted in FIG. 4A. As the hinge point 222 is withdrawninto the outer sleeve 210, the outer sleeve forces the jaws 220 intotheir closed position, as illustrated in FIG. 4B. The opening andclosing of the jaws 220 can be accomplished by manipulation of thehandle portions 212 and 216.

The distal end of the grasping instrument 200 is configured to cut,puncture, or dilate tissue when the jaws 220 are in the closed position.In one embodiment shown in FIG. 4B, the jaws 220 havescrew-thread-shaped protrusions 224 on the surface. By rotating theinstrument as it passes through tissue, the protrusions 224 facilitatethe penetration of tissue, similar to a corkscrew. In another embodimentillustrated in FIG. 4C, the instrument has jaws 226 that form a sharptip 228 when closed. In yet another embodiment, the jaws form a bladewhich can cut through tissues when in the closed position. One of skillin the art would recognize that the above configurations can becombined, or that other configurations are possible which facilitate thepassage of the tip of the instrument through the wall of the stomach orother tissue.

It also should be realized to one skilled in the art that the closed endof the grasping device does not have to be the only instrumentresponsible for cutting through the tissue; the central lumen 230 of thedevice can be utilized to assist in tissue penetration. For example, aneedle (e.g. a Veres needle) 232 can be passed through the lumen and theneedle 232 can make the initial puncture through the tissue. Theconfiguration of the distal end of the grasper is meant to be a tissuedilator and facilitator of the entry into the stomach (or any otherhollow organ) after the needle makes the initial puncture. For safety,the needle can be retracted as the tissue grasper dilates the tissue.

In the embodiment of the tissue grasper 200 illustrated in FIG. 4A, theinner member 214 and outer sleeve 210 have a central tunnel 230 thatextends the length of the tissue grasper. The tunnel 230 allows for thepassage of an expanding means such as a needle 232, or other instrumentor device such as the posterior or anterior anchor described above (seefor example, the description above regarding the connector-suturecombination in which the suture is left behind and the outer sheath ofthe connector is pulled away), through the length of the tissue grasperas shown in FIG. 4A. The central tunnel is also adapted such that aradially dilating sheath can be inserted through it. The diameter of thecentral lumen is preferably at least 4 mm, but can be at least 5, 6, 7,8, 9, 10, 11, or 12 mm. In an alternative embodiment, the distal jawscan be configured to close through an electromechanical means or purelymagnetic means such that the inner member is not necessary.

FIG. 5A illustrates one embodiment of an anchor implantation instrument250 to implant the anterior anchor. The implantation instrument has atubular outer sheath 252 which has a handle 254 attached. At the distalend, the outer sheath flairs out to an increased diameter 255 toaccommodate the anterior anchor in its substantially folded position asillustrated in FIG. 5C. Within the outer sheath is an anchor graspinginstrument 256 similar to the tissue grasping instrument of FIG. 4A,made up of a tubular middle sleeve 260 and a tubular inner member 264.The tubular middle sleeve 260 has an outer diameter such that it canslide within the outer sheath 252 in the longitudinal axis of the outersheath 252 but cannot move substantially transverse to the longitudinalaxis of the outer sheath 252.

The tubular middle sleeve 260 of the anchor grasping instrument has aportion of a handle 262 attached at the proximal end 261 of theinstrument. Disposed within the middle sleeve 260 is a tubular innermember 264 which has an outer diameter such that it can slide within themiddle sleeve 260 in the direction of the longitudinal axis of themiddle sleeve 260 but cannot move substantially in transverse to thelongitudinal axis of the middle sleeve 260. At the proximal end of theinner member, a second portion of a handle 266 is attached.

The distal tip 263 of the instrument is illustrated in more detail inFIGS. 5B and 5C, with the inclusion of the anterior anchor 40 of FIG. 2Aand connector 12 of FIG. 1A. FIG. 5C is a side section view taken alongthe line C-C of FIG. 5B. At the distal end 263 of the inner member 264is a pair of hooking members 270 which are connected to the inner memberat a hinge point 272. When the distal end of the inner member 264 isdisplaced from the inside of the middle sleeve 260 such that the hingepoint 272 is outside the middle sleeve, the hooking members 270 assumetheir open position as depicted in FIG. 5B. As the hinge point 272 iswithdrawn into the middle sleeve 260, the middle sleeve forces thehooking members 270 into a closed position, as illustrated in FIG. 5C.The opening and closing of the hooking members 270 can be accomplishedby manipulation of the handle portions 262 and 266.

The instrument is designed such that the anterior anchor is easilymanipulated. When the anterior anchor is in its substantially folded orcompressed configuration as in FIG. 5C, the entire anterior anchorassembly can be manipulated along the longitudinal axis of the connector12. FIG. 5C depicts the assembly as it would be introduced over theconnector 12 and into the patient. The operator pulls the connector 12toward the operator such that the posterior anchor is urged toward theanterior anchor. When in position, the operator deploys anterior anchor40. To deploy anterior anchor 40, outer sheath 252 is pulled back towardthe operator. Middle sleeve 260 is then withdrawn proximally toward theoperator as well. Hooking members 270 tend to fan out as the middlesleeve is pulled back and will release hooks 52. Once deployed, anterioranchor 40 is now fixed in a longitudinal position along the connector12.

An important feature of the anterior anchor in some embodiments is thatit be grippable by a laparoscopic grasping instrument and able to betranslated through a laparoscopic port; further, the anterior anchor isreversibly translatable along the connector such that the surgeon canplace and replace depending on what is seen by the endoscopist or thetension indicated by the tensiometers. If the surgeon wants to readjustthe anterior anchor, connector 12 is manipulated so that the hooks 52 ofthe anterior anchor are brought into contact with hooking members 270;middle sleeve 260 is advanced distally from the operator, permittinghooking members 270 to engage the hooks 52; such contact is facilitatedby pulling back (proximally) on the connector 12. By manipulating themiddle sleeve 260 over the hooking members 270, the hooks 274 on theends of the hooking members 270 can engage the hooks 52 on the anterioranchor 40. The outer sheath 252 is then slid over the anterior anchor 40(or the anchor-middle sleeve complex is withdrawn into the outer sheath252), until it is compressed into an undeployed configuration as shownin FIG. 5C. As described above, when the anterior anchor 40 is in asubstantially compressed configuration, it can move along the length ofthe connector 12 in either direction.

In an embodiment where an inflatable anterior anchor such as the oneillustrated in FIGS. 2G-2I is utilized (or in the case that the anterioranchor is otherwise sufficiently compliant to be pushed through alaparoscopic port), a standard laparoscopic grasping instrument (withteeth) can be used to manipulate the anterior anchor. When theinflatable anterior anchor is in the uninflated position, it issufficiently compliant such that it can easily be passed through alaparoscopic port prior to inflation and deployment or after it has beendeflated for readjustment; the middle sheath may not be necessarybecause the compliance of the balloon enables easy compression into theouter sheath. The inflation tube 63 passes through the laparoscopic portand out of the patient. This allows the inflation tube 63 of the anchorto be temporarily opened or closed outside the patient allowing fordeflation and reinflation until the anchor is in place. The inflationtube is then sealed and cut off, preferably substantially flush to thesurface of the anterior anchor.

Methods of Implantation

Percutaneous Procedure

FIG. 6A depicts the initial step of a preferred embodiment of a surgicalmethod to implant a transgastric fastening assembly. The first part ofone procedure embodiment, the “percutaneous procedure,” involvesentering the stomach with an endoscope 300 and insufflating the stomachwith a gas. When insufflated, the anterior wall of the stomach 302 ispushed toward the anterior abdominal wall 304 to create a potentialspace (the stomach interior). After insufflation of the stomach, anincision is made in the skin and a typical laparoscopic port 306 isplaced through the anterior abdominal wall 304 to a position wherein thedistal end is in the potential space between the abdominal wall 304 andthe anterior wall of stomach 302. The laparoscopic port 306 can be aradially dilating type port or similar port known in the art. Eventhough a laparoscopic port is used, in these steps, generalizedpneumoperitoneum is not required and this part of the procedure can bedone with minimal or no general anesthesia as discussed in the nextparagraph.

A particularly advantageous laparoscopic port is one which allowsvisualization (with a laparoscope) of the individual abdominal layers asthe laparoscope is being pushed through the abdominal wall (well knownto those skilled in the art). Use of such a port allows the surgeon to“see” the different layers of the abdominal wall from within the trocar(using a standard laparoscopic camera) as the trocar is advanced throughthe abdominal wall. The endoscopic light inside the stomach will be“seen” by the surgeon as the port approaches the inner layers of theabdominal wall because the endoscopic light source transilluminatesthrough the layers of the stomach wall and inner layers of the abdominalwall. Such visualization is advantageous if the patient has a very thickabdominal wall (e.g. in a morbidly obese patient) because the surgeonneeds to ensure that another organ (e.g. the colon) is not positionedbetween the stomach and the posterior wall of the abdomen. Once thetransillumination of the stomach is visible through the transparentport, the port 306 can be slipped in the abdomen between the abdominalwall and the anterior wall of the stomach. This portion of the proceduremay be done without pneumoperitoneum and without general anesthesia(e.g. local anesthesia).

At this point, the camera can also be used to visualize the anteriorwall of the stomach and/or it can be used to visualize placement ofdevices into the anterior wall of the stomach; examples of some devicesinclude stimulators, sutures, clips, drug delivery devices, sensors, andvolume displacing devices (extragastric balloons are discussed below).As described above, visualization of the surface of the stomach andimplantation of devices into the anterior wall (without puncturingthrough the stomach) can be achieved with this method and does notrequire general pneumoperitoneum. The camera can be slid along thestomach to reach virtually any portion of the anterior stomach, duodenalwall, or lower esophagus. Additional ports can also be placed in thespace between the abdominal wall and the anterior wall of the stomach.With the additional ports, additional instruments can be used which canfacilitate placement of the devices into the walls of the stomach.Suture passers, knot tiers, electrosurgical devices, and clip appliersare just some examples of instruments which already exist in thesurgical arts and which can be utilized to facilitate placement ofdevices into the walls of the stomach. Small incisions can be made inthe serosa of the stomach and a pocket can be made so that stimulatorscan be placed in a pouch in the stomach wall. Therefore, using theinventive technique of entering the abdomen without general anesthesiaand without pneumoperitoneum as detailed above, many different gastricoperations can be performed.

At this point in the procedure (or any other point), a therapeuticenergy device can also be applied to the stomach. For example, a laser(or other phototherapy device), a radiofrequency device, a microwavedevice, or an ultrasound device can be applied to the stomach.Furthermore, electrical or nervous mapping can be performed with thesurgical device in the position between the anterior wall of the stomachand the abdominal wall. In the embodiment where an extragastric balloonis being deployed (see above and below), such deployment can proceed atthis step. The ability to perform these procedures without generalpneumoperitoneum and with minimal anesthesia is enabled by the inventivemethods described above. Furthermore, in the embodiment where balloonsare placed inside the stomach or neuro- or muscular stimulators or otherdevices are placed in the walls of the stomach, these devices areimplanted at this step and do not require pneumoperitoneum or generalanesthesia.

At this point in the percutaneous procedure (after entry into thestomach), the tissue grasping instrument 200 of FIG. 4A is insertedthrough the port 306 with the jaws 220 in the closed position (with orwithout a needle projecting in front of the instrument) and is passedthrough the anterior wall of the stomach 302. When the jaws of theinstrument are closed, the jaws define a sharp, dilating, and/or cuttingconfiguration which can more easily advance through the stomach wall.

FIG. 6B depicts the next step in the percutaneous procedure. The jaws ofinstrument 200 are used to grasp the posterior wall of the stomach.Although one method to approach the region behind the stomach is shownin the FIG. 6 b, there are many ways in which the posterior wall of thestomach can be accessed. For example, suction can be used, as canvisualization with an ultrasound probe, CT scan, MRI, and/orfluoroscopy. The posterior wall of the stomach 314 is lifted away fromthe retroperitoneum 316, allowing for access to the potential space ofthe lesser peritoneal sac 320. A needle 232, such as a Veres needle(well-known in the art, a Veres needle allows for easy and safe accessinto and between two serosal layers), is inserted through the centralchannel 230 of the instrument and passed through the posterior wall ofthe stomach 314 into the potential space of the lesser peritoneal sac320. The potential space of the lesser peritoneal sac 320 is expanded byinjection of a gas, such as carbon dioxide, through the needle 232. Inother embodiments, the potential space is expanded using a liquid, gel,or foam. Alternatively, the space can be expanded using a balloon orother space expanding or space filling device; alternatively, a surgicalinstrument (e.g. electrocautery and/or blunt ended grasper, etc.) can beused in place of a needle to access the lesser peritoneum or to expandthe potential space of the retroperitoneum 320. Preferably, the expandedspace of the lesser peritoneal sac can extend from the angle of His atthe gastroesophageal junction to the pylorus.

FIG. 6C depicts the next step in the “percutaneous procedure”embodiment. With a direct path from outside the patient to the lesserperitoneal sac 322, the needle 232 is withdrawn from the instrument 200.An optional dilation step can be performed at this stage in theprocedure using a device such as a radially dilating sheath (e.g.InnerDyne STEP™ system; Sunnyvale, Calif.) inserted through the centralchannel 230 of the instrument. The dilating device expands the openingin the posterior wall of the stomach in such a way that the openingcontracts down to a lesser profile after dilation. A posterior anchor324 and connector 326, such as those depicted in FIGS. 1B, 1E orpreferably 1F, in its reduced profile configuration, is passed throughthe central channel 230 of the instrument, through the posterior wall ofthe stomach 314, and deployed in the lesser peritoneal sac 322 as shownin FIG. 6C. Where the optional dilation step is performed, the posterioranchor 324 is passed through the dilating sheath. The connector 326 ispreferably of sufficient length to pass from inside the lesserperitoneal sac 322 through the central channel 230 of the instrument andout of the patient's body. FIG. 6D depicts the deployed posterior anchor324 and connector 326 after the grasping instrument is withdrawn fromthe patient and tension is applied to connector 326 to pull theposterior anchor 324 against the posterior wall of the stomach 314.

In an alternative embodiment, the space of the lesser peritoneal sac isnot expanded before the posterior anchor is placed. For example, in anembodiment where an inflatable posterior anchor is used, the potentialspace can be expanded by the anchor itself as it is inflated to itsdeployed configuration.

In another embodiment, the posterior anchor is directly implanted in theretroperitoneum rather than in the lesser peritoneal sac. In thisembodiment, the posterior anchor is placed in the retroperitoneum abovethe envelope of the lesser peritoneal sac. Above the envelope, theretroperitoneum is safe, being above the pancreas and splenic vessels.As is known to those skilled in the art of bariatric surgery, theLap-Band® is implanted at this spot in the retroperitoneum (however,implantation requires general anesthesia and pneumoperitoneum). ACat-Scan, MRI, fluoroscopy, or ultrasound can be used to assist in thisstep.

Laparoscopic Procedure

In the “laparoscopic procedure,” after insufflation (pneumoperitoneumand general anesthesia) of the abdominal cavity with a Veres needle, aretrogastric tunnel 500 is created as is well known in the surgical artsand is shown in FIG. 15 a. The posterior anchors 510 are shown as acomponent of the retrogastric instrument 510 in FIGS. 12 and 15 a.Embodiments of the posterior anchors 308 are also shown in FIGS. 6E and1K. Depicted are single posterior anchors with one or more connectorsand continuous posterior anchors with one or more connectors. Thesuture-connector system 309, 311 depicted in FIG. 1 H-J is also depictedin FIG. 6E and can be used in one of the laparoscopic embodiments.Connector 309 (in FIG. 6E) engages anchor 308 and locks suture 311 intoposterior anchor 308. Connector 309 is then slid over suture 311 priorto the anterior anchor (similar to the anterior anchor in FIG. 13 a;550) being slid over (tracking) the connector 311. FIG. 15B depicts theconfiguration of the transgastric anchor assemblies 700 after theanterior anchors are placed, tensioned, and the connectors are cut. FIG.15C depicts devices of the laparoscopic procedure where the posterioranchor 750 is continuous. Anterior anchors 755 are shown as individualanchors and as discs; however, in some embodiments, the anterior anchorscan be rectangular or continuous.

FIGS. 12 a-c depicts some of the steps in one embodiment of a“laparoscopic procedure”; a laparoscopic instrument 500 is providedwhich has a reversibly attached anchor 510. Grips 520 reversibly gripanchor 510. Any of a variety of gripping mechanisms can be employed toretain the anchor 510 on laparoscopic tool 500. Connector 332 issubstantially similar to any of the connectors described above exceptthat in this embodiment, the posterior anchor 510 is not attached toconnector 332 when it is inserted through the anterior abdominal wall.The surgeon places laparoscopic tool 500 behind the stomach 428 of thepatient and connector 332 is advanced through the lumen of laparoscopicport 545 formed in patient's skin 535 and anterior abdominal wall 530.Connector 332 is then further advanced through first and second walls540 and 547 of stomach 428. In FIG. 12B, a suture 333 is an innercomponent of the connector 332 for the transgastric device; an outerportion of connector 332 is removable over the suture after the suture333 is attached to the posterior anchor 510; connector 332 is thenremoved from the patient (FIG. 12C).

In some embodiments, a suture is provided on the posterior anchor 510(not shown) prior to insertion of the connector 332; connector 332 isadapted to pull the suture through the stomach and thence through theabdominal wall after being inserted through the anterior and posteriorwall of the stomach. This results in a configuration similar to FIG.12C. Subsequent attachment of the anterior fastener/s and subsequenturging step where the anterior and posterior walls are brought togetheris similar as outlined above.

When the connector 332 reaches the posterior anchor 510, grippingelements 520 are released by the surgeon through a mechanism which isintegrated into the laparoscopic tool 500. Connector 332 is fixed toposterior anchor 510 through a locking mechanism. Mechanisms of lockingconnector 332 to posterior anchor 510 are well-known to those skilled inthe art of mechanical fixturing. Some or all of the fixturing mechanismsmay reside on the connector or on the anchor. In another embodiment, thegripping force of the grippers 520 can be overcome by force applied bythe surgeon on connector 332. Reversible locking means other thanmechanical means also exist and include magnetic, electromagnetic, andadhesive means.

An anterior anchor 550 (FIG. 13 a) is then placed over the connector 332by the methodology and devices described in the next paragraph; themechanism of deploying the anterior anchor is the same in both the“laparoscopic” and “percutaneous” procedures. The walls of the stomachare urged together (FIG. 14 a) to create a resistance to the flow offood within the stomach or to reduce the volume of the stomach. 570depicts one side of the stomach after the walls of the stomach are urgedtogether. 570 is the side of the stomach where the food enters. Its (thestomach) volume and capacity are now reduced as compared to its originalvolume and capacity. Although not shown, connector 332 is subsequentlytruncated at the level of the anterior anchor 550 after the anterioranchor is deployed by any of the mechanisms described and depictedabove.

FIG. 7A illustrates the step of implanting the anterior anchor in oneembodiment. The connector 326 is inserted through the hole or otherpassageway of an anterior anchor 40 of FIG. 5C, and the anchorimplantation instrument 250 of FIGS. 5A, 5B and 5C is used to slide theanchor 40 through the laparoscopic port 306 into the abdomen of thepatient. The anterior 302 and posterior 314 walls of the stomach areurged together, either by using the anchor implantation instrument 250to urge the anterior wall 302 toward the posterior wall 314, or bypulling on the connector 326 and posterior anchor 324 to urge theposterior wall 302 of the stomach toward the anterior wall 314, or by acombination of the two methods. Once the anterior anchor 40 is in thedesired position, the anterior anchor 40 is placed in its deployedconfiguration by manipulating the anchor implantation instrument 250 asdescribed above.

In a preferred embodiment, the inflatable anterior anchor of FIGS. 2G-2Iis used, and the use of the implantation instrument of FIG. 5A isoptional. After the anterior anchor is in the desired position, theanterior anchor is inflated with a filling substance through theinflation tube until it is in its deployed configuration. The grippingelements 67 and teeth 68 are thus engaged against the connector 326, (12in FIG. 2I). The anchor implantation device 250 (FIG. 5A) can then bewithdrawn from the patient's abdomen.

In another embodiment (FIG. 15 e-g), both the posterior anchor 750 andthe anterior anchor 752 are continuous along both the anterior andposterior portions of the stomach. In this embodiment, connectors 765are suture like or are more rigid as described above. Strain gauges maybe incorporated into any or all of the connectors 765. Region 770 is thewhere food flows through the restriction system. In some embodiments, itis desirable to transect 758 a part of the stomach with staplers wellknown in the surgical arts creating a region 756 between the staplelines.

With the transgastric fastening assembly complete, the surgeon canexamine the resulting configuration of the stomach using an endoscope.If one or more anterior anchors is/are not in the desired location, itsplacement along the connector can be adjusted as described above.Alternatively, in another embodiment, the anterior anchor can be urgedcloser to the posterior anchor simply by pushing it along the connectorwithout using the implantation device to capture the anchor and deformit into its reduced profile configuration.

In another embodiment, the anterior anchor can be deflated, allowing theanterior anchor to be repositioned (the anterior anchor is reversiblyfixed to the connector), and then reinflated to engage the connector.FIG. 7B illustrates the transgastric fastening assembly with theanterior anchor 40 in its deployed configuration on the connector 326and the anchor implantation instrument removed from the patient'sabdomen. The anterior 302 and posterior walls 314 of the stomach havebeen urged closer together by the transgastric fastening assembly.Whether the walls of the stomach are urged into contact or not isdetermined by the surgeon. Contact between the mucosal surfaces can beloose such that food can go through yet a significant resistance to foodis provided; alternatively, mucosal surfaces are urged together andtouch; however, food cannot pass through the apposed surfaces.

FIG. 7C depicts a transgastric fastening assembly in its finalconfiguration after deployment. Once the surgeon is satisfied that thetransgastric fastening assembly is properly placed, a cutting implement,well-known to those of skill in the art, is inserted through thelaparoscopic port and the connector 326 is cut, preferably flush to theanterior anchor 40. In some embodiments, the cutting instrument isplaced over the connector with the connector as a guide. In anembodiment, where inflatable anchors are used, the hollow connector andinflation tube are sealed prior to, or as a result of, cutting,preventing anchor deflation. Alternatively, if a filling substance whichhardens with time is used, it may not be necessary to seal the connectoror inflation tube prior to cutting if the filling substance issufficiently hard or viscous such that it will not leak from theconnector or inflation tube.

When more than one transgastric fastening assembly is to be implanted,it is sometimes preferred to insert all of the posterior anchors andconnectors before attaching any or all anterior anchors. For example, inFIG. 8A, posterior anchors 330 are show in a position posterior to thestomach with connectors 332 outside the abdomen. Anterior anchors cannow be placed over the connectors 332 and the tension independentlyadjusted under endoscopic visualization. In some embodiments, aninstrument to measure and quantify tension is used to measure thecompression of the stomach mucosa prior to the operation. In someembodiments (FIG. 8B), test blocks 336 are placed on the laparoscopicports 334. The tension on connectors 332 can now be tested withoutplacing an anterior fastener on the connector. This type of parallelfastener placement and quantification allows the operator to control thetension of each individual fastener across a row of fasteners. Testblocks 336 are adapted to engage connectors 332 and the optimal tensionon the connectors 332 can be quantified using a standard tensiometerattached to connectors 332. The degree of volume reduction can also betested with this setup and by visualization with endoscope 344. Once theoptimal tension has been determined, the anterior fastener is placedover the connector at the pre-determined tension. Tensioning ofindividual fasteners is in contrast to attempting place transgastricfastening assemblies in series. While possible to individually placetransgastric assemblies in series, if one were to do so, each successiveassembly would be more difficult to place because the volume of thestomach would be progressively reduced, resulting in more difficultvisualization each time.

FIG. 8A depicts an embodiment in which two posterior anchors 330 andconnectors 332 are deployed in the expanded lesser peritoneal sac. Inthis embodiment, there is one laparoscopic port 334 for each connector332. In an alternative embodiment, there may be more anchors placed thanincisions and laparoscopic ports. Depending on how far apart the anchorsare placed, a given laparoscopic port can be used to implant a pluralityof transgastric implants. This can be accomplished because there issignificant mobility of the stomach and/or abdominal wall which allowsfor different points along the anterior wall of the stomach to beaccessed without having to create another hole through the abdominalwall.

In an alternative embodiment, the stomach is fastened to the abdominalwall rather than there being a free space between the anterior gastricwall and the peritoneum of the abdominal wall (not shown). The initialsteps are as discussed above. After the posterior anchors are placed,their position can be tested as depicted in FIG. 8B to simulate theconfiguration after the anterior anchor is placed. Next, the outerlaparoscopic port is pulled back so that the anchor deploying instrumentdirectly contacts and sits within the tissues of the muscular abdominalwall. Once the outer laparoscopic port is pulled back, the anterioranchor can be deployed within the abdominal wall musculature and theconnector can be cut flush with the anterior anchor. In an embodimentwhere the inflatable anterior anchor is used, after the anterior anchoris deployed within the abdominal wall musculature, the inflation tube iscut, preferably flush with the anterior anchor.

Method of Reversal

The connector 326 (e.g. a suture) of a preferred embodiment of thedeployed transgastric fastening assembly, as illustrated in FIG. 7C, canbe cut at a point between the anterior and posterior anchors, whichresults in reversal of the gastric volume reduction. The connector ispreferably made to resist corrosion from stomach acid, but is able to becut by a cutting implement advanced through an endoscope into thestomach. In the Smith paper (Smith, L. et. al. Results and Complicationsof Gastric Partitioning. The American Journal of Surgery. Vol. 146;December 1983), a nylon suture was used to traverse the stomach in theanterior-posterior direction and attach the pledgets to the walls of thestomach. The nylon material was suitable for use for over 3 yearswithout any indication of corrosion. Other materials suitable to preventcorrosion and yet allow cutting include plastics such as polyurethane,silicone elastomer, polypropylene, PTFE, PVDF, or polyester, metals andmetal alloys such as stainless steel, nickel-titanium, titanium,cobalt-chromium, etc. Once the connector is cut, the walls of thestomach are free to move away from one another, thereby reversing theprocedure. Reversal of the procedure can occur at any time (days toyears) after the procedure. In a preferred embodiment, the anchorsremain in the gastric wall permanently even after the connector is cutor otherwise divided; the anchors are made from a material whichfacilitates permanent integration into the gastric wall (or otherintestinal wall); suitable materials include polypropylene, Alloderm™,Surgisis™, and polyesters. Alternatively in other embodiments, theanchors can, in part or in whole, be manufactured from a bioabsorbablematerial such that the anchors will eventually be absorbed by the body.In the case of bioabsorbable anchors, it is preferable to have aconnector which is at least in part bioabsorbable. In anotherembodiment, substantially all of the elements of the transgastricfastening assembly are made of bioabsorbable materials, with the intentthat over the desired period of time, the entire assembly will beabsorbed by the body, reversing the procedure without any additionalactions required by a doctor. In another embodiment, the anchors aremade of a non-reactive material such as silicone. In this embodiment,reversal of the procedure requires a “laparoscopic procedure;” that is,pneumoperitoneum so that the connectors can be cut and the fastenersremoved. The connector is cut with the endoscope and then the anchorsare removed with standard laparoscopic instrumentation; being composedof silicone, the anchors in this case will be easily removed.

Even if there is some degree of fusion between the mucosa around theconnector at the region of the assembly, once the connector is cut orabsorbed, the walls will tend to move apart over time. Alternatively, aballoon or other dissection device is introduced through an endoscopeand used to urge apart the walls of the stomach at the point of fusion.

Additional Embodiments of the Disclosed Devices, Instruments, andMethods

The devices, methods and instruments disclosed above and below can beused to treat other diseases, such as gastroesophageal reflux disease(GERD). In this embodiment, a transgastric fastening assembly is placedin the cardia region. Such a configuration would maintain the positionof the GE junction in the abdomen and potentially create a barrier toreflux contents. Similar to the devices above, feedback systems can beinstituted so that the reflux prevention is initiated as a response to astimulus such as pH or peristalsis rather than applying continuouspressure to the tissue even when reflux is not present. Furthermore,GERD devices can be equipped with patient controlled features such thatwhen the patient feels symptoms, the antireflux features are activated.Reflux disease can also be treated with sutures or plications placedwith a percutaneous procedure and in the region of the GE junction.Placement of the sutures (with or without pledgets) with a percutaneousprocedure would not require general anesthesia and would be advantageousin many patients.

In many of the embodiments discussed above, a transverse row offasteners is depicted which is one method of creating volume reductionor flow restriction. FIG. 9 depicts and alternative embodiment in whichthree transgastric fastening assemblies 400 are deployed longitudinallyin the stomach; such a configuration of anchors results in a tubularconfiguration of the remaining portion of the stomach. The dashed linesrepresent boundaries of the divisions of the stomach: the cardia of thestomach 402, the fundus of the stomach 409, the body of the stomach 406,the antrum of the stomach 408, and the pyloric sphincter 410. In oneembodiment, the fastening assemblies are not implanted in the antrum 408(but are implanted longitudinally in the stomach as shown in FIG. 9) inorder to maintain the normal digestion process of the stomach. Normaldigestion therefore occurs in the antrum which precedes passage of foodinto the duodenum. In stopping short of the antrum 408, the implantsreplicate the degree of volume reduction of the Magenstrasse and Mill(M&M) procedure (discussed above in the background).

Food ingested by the patient follows a physiologic pathway for digestiondepicted by the arrow in FIG. 9. It travels through the esophagus 412and enters the cardia of the stomach 402. The food is digested in thestomach and pushed toward the duodenum 414 as chyme for furtherdigestion. The preserved antrum 408 allows for relatively physiologicdigestion and emptying into the duodenum 414 akin to the M&M procedure.With transgastric fastening assemblies 400 in place, food which leavesthe esophagus 412 and enters the stomach, results in increased walltension on the lesser curvature of the stomach 416 as the greatercurvature of the stomach 418 will be restricted from the food pathway.The path of least resistance will be the path toward the pylorus 410 andduodenum 414. The increased wall tension of the stomach will result in afeeling of satiety by the patient, leading to decreased food intake andweight loss. As discussed further above, any of the transgastricassemblies in this embodiment can have feedback systems whichcommunicate with patient end-effector, patient afferent pathways, deviceefferent, and/or device afferent pathways. Although three assemblies areshown in FIG. 9, there may be as few as one or as many as ten or moredepending on the degree of volume reduction desired. Such flexibility innumber of devices as well as the ability of the surgeon to tune thetension between the anterior and posterior anchors is advantageous. Suchflexibility may enable, for example, reversal of a few anchors ratherthan all the anchors, such that the volume reduction procedure ispartially reversed. As described above, any or all of the anchors, orparts of the anchors, can be biodegradable and therefore, the gastricreduction procedure would be reversible by virtue of the implantedbiodegradable anchors. Furthermore, in some embodiments where there aremultiple transgastric connectors which are produced from an electricallyactive material, different ones of the multiple connectors can beadjusted. In some embodiments, an electrical current is applied to thestructures in order to reverse the procedure. For example, some metalsand polymers will dissolve (corrode) in response to current.

In another embodiment, a transgastric fastening assembly is placed inthe antrum 408 or the region just proximal to the pyloric sphincter 410if deemed necessary by the gastroenterologist and/or surgeon. Such aconfiguration would not reduce the volume of the stomach but would causea feeling of fullness similar to a gastric outlet obstruction, leadingto decreased food intake and weight loss. The anchors in this region canalso conduct a current to electrically stimulate the pyloric region tosimulate satiety.

In another embodiment, a transgastric fastening assembly may be requiredat the region of the cardia 402 to treat morbid obesity in a similarmanner to that utilized with the LAP-BAND™ (Inamed Corp., Santa Barbara,Calif.). In this embodiment, the transgastric fastening assembly is notutilized to reduce the volume of the stomach, but to create arestriction to the inflow of food. In this embodiment, the fasteningsystem can traverse the cardia but does not necessarily completelyoppose the mucosal surfaces of the anterior and posterior walls of thestomach. In some embodiments, the transgastric assemblies do in factcompletely appose the walls of the stomach together but allow food topass through by not completely traversing the cardia, leaving a spacefor flow of food stuffs. The assembly can further be configured toprovide electrical signals to the anterior and/or posterior portions ofthe stomach in this region. The active region of this embodiment can bequite large, in some cases ranging up to 10-15 cm, large enough totraverse almost the entire width of the cardia.

In another embodiment, the disclosed methods in combination with thetransgastric fastening assemblies can be adapted to attach agastrointestinal organ to the abdominal wall which, in addition toreducing volume, can also create a kink in the organ (e.g. the stomach).The kink may cause a resistance barrier (in addition to volumereduction) to gastrointestinal contents and can be useful to treatreflux disease or morbid obesity. Such a kink would also fix thegastrointestinal region to the abdominal wall as well as maintain thereduction of a hiatal hernia in the abdominal compartment (e.g. inreflux disease). A major component of reflux disease is a hiatal herniain which the gastroesophageal junction freely slides from the abdomen tothe mediastinum. A percutaneously placed suture or anchor in the regionof the gastric cardia and/or fundus can tether the junction to theabdominal wall and confine the junction to the abdomen.

In other embodiments, the devices and methods of this invention canassist in the implantation of devices such as stents, meshes, stitches,or tubes in the gastrointestinal tract. A major technical difficultyencountered in placing stents, tubes, balloons, stimulators, and meshesinside the lumen of the gastrointestinal tract is that they tend tomigrate because the walls of such devices do not adhere to slipperymucosa. A transgastric or transintestinal anchor, implanted with thecurrent instrumentation, could solve this problem. Such a method wouldbe particularly useful in the attachment of the stent part of thestent-sleeve system outlined in patent application US20050075622A1, orthe mesh of patent application US20040172141A1. In another example,devices such as those disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,773,441 attempt toplace an endoscopic stitch to tether the cardia of the stomach to thefundus to treat reflux disease. Such stitches are tenuous in the longterm because they do not necessarily penetrate the serosa. Even if thestitches penetrate the serosa, they tend to erode through the wall withtime because of their thin profile and an inability of the endoscopicoperator to control tension on the suture when it is placed. With themethods and devices of this invention, such an endoscopic suture can bebuttressed with a percutaneously placed anchor.

Although the described methods are focused on the implantation oftransgastric fastening assemblies to reduce the volume of the stomach orto increase the resistance to the flow of food in the stomach, themethods and devices can easily be expanded to the implantation of othertypes of devices such as neurostimulators, gastric muscle stimulators,gastric balloons, and bulking devices inside the wall of agastrointestinal organ using the percutaneous procedures and devicesdescribed herein.

The methods disclosed herein (e.g. the percutaneous procedure) canfurther be used to apply an energy source to an internal organ withouthaving to give general anesthesia or pneumoperitoneum. For example, themethods and devices of the current invention can be used to applyradiofrequency probes, microwave probes, ultrasound probes, andradioactive probes (to the serosa) in similar ways as disclosed in U.S.Pat. No. 6,872,206. The energy sources can be temporary or permanent andcan be activated remotely through the abdominal wall in the case wherethey are implantable. The methods can further be used for diagnosticpurposes prior to performing a surgical therapy. In one example, themethods and devices are used to identify specific nerves or nerveplexuses prior to delivering a specific therapy. In another example,specific hormone producing regions, such as ghrelin, are identifiedprior to delivering a specific therapy. Following the methods anddevices outlined both above and below, instruments can be placed in theabdominal cavity under percutaneous guidance. Any of the layers of thestomach can be accessed and stimulation, ablation, or diagnostic devicescan subsequently be placed without anesthesia and withoutpneumoperitoneum. For example, a stimulation device can be placed in anylayer of the stomach wall such as the serosa or muscular layers forexample.

Similarly, the anchor assemblies and anchors are applied to solid organssuch as the spleen, kidney, liver, and pancreas to urge the edges of adefect together to promote healing; in other embodiments, the anchorassemblies are applied to the blood vessels such as arteries or veins;for example, the aorta or vena cava.

In still further embodiments, fascial defects can be closed with theanchoring assembly described above. FIG. 7 d-7 e for example shows ananchor being delivered into a fascial defect caused by a laparoscopicport. Using similar methodology as above except applied to a fascialdefect, a posterior anchor 362, a connector 360 and an anterior anchor366 are shown in FIG. 7D. A laparoscopic port 364 is shown as well.After anterior anchor 366 is threaded over connector 360, the connectoris 360 is trimmed as described above (shown in FIG. 7E). When theanchoring assembly is in place as shown in FIG. 7E, the defect createdby port 364 is effectively closed and the connector stabilized in theanterior abdominal wall. Typically, laparoscopic fascial defects areclosed with sutures which can be very difficult in an obese patient. Theanchor-connector-anchor assembly shown in FIGS. 7D-E is a possiblesolution to having to close fascial defects with sutures in obesepatients.

In some embodiments, the methods and devices described herein are usedto place devices inside or outside the stomach; inside or outside thelesser sac of the peritoneum; inside or beside a structure within theretroperitoneum; inside, beside, or outside the duodenum, pylorus, orgastroesophageal junction. Implanted devices include but are not limitedto the anchor devices and transgastric fastening assemblies describedabove; stents, meshes, stent-grafts, stitches, stimulators, and bulkforming agents can be implanted individually, in combination, and as acomponent of the same device.

In some embodiments, a transgastric method of placing such stimulatorsis described which in some embodiments enable placement of stimulatorsin the lesser peritoneal space where they can stimulate the sympatheticsystem or directly stimulate structures in the lesser peritoneal sac(such as the pancreas). In these and other embodiments, the transgastricaccess method to the lesser peritoneal sac is used to place stimulatorsand stimulate and/or inhibit pain fibers in and around the celiacganglion. This type of procedure is used to treat patients with severepain from a tumor or from pancreatitis.

Devices that circumscribe the gastroesophageal junction are well-knownin the art (see for example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,464,697); the surgicalconstricting balloons can be retrofitted with sensors in order to createdevice afferent pathways which detect overeating and simulate (viadevice efferent pathways) patient afferent pathways such as the vagusnerve or the visceral nervous system.

The methods and devices of this invention can also be used to placesutures in the stomach or pylorus to treat reflux disease or obesity.Such suturing would be facilitated by the placement of multiple portsthrough the walls of the stomach. Any of these methods and devices couldbe used in combination with or in place of the transgastric fasteningassemblies to induce weight loss in a patient.

In another embodiment, the novel methods, implantation devices, andanchors of this invention are used to implant devices in one wall of agastrointestinal organ without volume reduction. One example of such anembodiment is illustrated in FIGS. 10A and 10B in which a balloon-likedevice is deployed in the stomach to displace volume rather than toreduce volume from the outside. The internal balloon 430 is similar tothe posterior anchors in some of the embodiments described above. In oneembodiment, after initial insufflation of the stomach and placement of alaparoscopic port 306 percutaneously and without pneumoperitoneum (asdescribed above) between the abdominal wall 304 and the anterior wall ofthe stomach 302, an instrument is used to penetrate only the anteriorwall of the stomach 302 and place an inflatable intragastric balloon430. Inflation is achieved through the connector lumen 432 and theballoon is placed within the interior of the stomach 428, as illustratedin FIG. 10A. When inflated, the balloon 430 is preferably spherical inshape such that it occupies a substantial portion of the stomach volumewhen inflated. In the embodiment shown, the connector also acts as theinflation tube for inflating the intragastric balloon. In anotherembodiment, in addition to the connector, there is a separate inflationtube similar to embodiments presented above. As discussed above, a valvecan be located between the anchor and the connector, or alternativelyoutside the patient. Preferably after the intragastric balloon isinflated and an anterior anchor 434 is deployed on the connector 432, asdescribed previously. The connector 432 is also cut, preferably flushwith the anterior anchor, and the laparoscopic port is removed, as shownin FIG. 10B. The anchor portion of the intragastric balloon 434 is thenfixed in the wall of the stomach. In the preferred embodiment where aninflatable anterior anchor 434 is used, the inflation tube is also cut,preferably flush with the anterior anchor. Other devices which may onlybe implanted in one gastric wall with similar methods and with similaranchoring devices include neurostimulators, muscular stimulators,sensors, and pharmaceutical delivery devices.

FIG. 16 embodies another use for the current invention. The sleevedevice 620 is disclosed in US patent application publicationUS2004/02206882. A major difficulty with this sleeve device is that itis not easily fixtured for stability inside the stomach. Fasteningsystem 610 is used to assist in fixation of the device 620 to thestomach wall; fastening system 610 is any of the devices discussed aboveand is implanted by any of the methods discussed above.

In another embodiment, a surgical anastomosis is surrounded with theorgan spanning anchors and anchor assemblies of the current invention.In this embodiment, the anchors can buttress the anastomosis to protectthe integrity of the anastomosis. The buttresses can support bothhand-sewn and stapler anastomotic techniques. To prevent or the anchorsare placed around or through the anastomosis. In a similar embodiment, atransgastric anchor system (or constricting band) can be used at agastrojejunostomy in a Roux-n-Y bypass procedure. Both the transgastricanchor system and constricting band can further have associatedelectrically activateable elements through which flow through theanastomosis can be controlled.

The anchors (and bands), as described above, can also be used to controlthe flow of material through an anastomosis. Flow control is attainablewhen an anchoring assembly is applied across an anastomosis and arelinked by means of a connector through the anastomosis. The distancebetween the anchors determines the amount of flow through theanastomosis and therefore, the flow rate can be adjusted quite readilywith the device of the current invention. The flow rate is adjustable atanytime during or after the operation. Luminal devices to control theflow rate through an anastomosis can be found in US patent applicationnumber 20050022827. The devices of the current invention can be used toaccomplish the goal of controlling flow through an anastomosis byplacing anchors on either side of the anastomosis with a connector thattraverses the anastomosis. Furthermore, the anastomotic flow controldevice can further have automated control using the materials, methods,and control systems described above in order to automatically adjustflow control or tension on the anastomosis.

In another embodiment, the anchor assemblies are applied to the lung totreat chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) via functional lungreduction. Rather than removing a portion of the lung (the surgicalprocedure), the anchors of the current invention are placed through thediseased portion of the lung to close off or at least create a largeresistance in one portion of the lung and broncheoalveolar tree so thatinspired air does not reach a malfunctioning portion of the lung.

In other embodiments of the current invention, the fastening systems andtools to implant the fastening systems are used to secure closure orrepair of blood vessels. The blood vessels can be named vessels such asthe aorta, vena cava, pulmonary veins, pulmonary arteries, renal vein,renal artery, inferior mesenteric vein and/or artery, splenic veinand/or artery, portal vein and/or hepatic artery, or the saphenousand/or deep veins. Alternatively, the vessels are unnamed such as in thecase of the mesentery of the colon or small bowel. Vessel closure withthe current system is possibly more efficient than current laparoscopicmeans of vessel closure which involve staple or clip occlusion of thevessels; staples and clips do not penetrate the vessel and therefore areoften inadequate, or at least do not replicate what a surgeon would doin an open procedure which is place a suture through the vessel to“suture ligate” it as is well-known in the art.

It is also possible that a part of, or any or all of the devices andmethods described above are performed with an alternative imaging means;for example, fluoroscope, MRI, ultrasound, and CAT scan.

Although the present invention has been described in the context ofcertain preferred or illustrative embodiments, it should be understoodthat the scope of the exclusive right granted by this patent is notlimited to those embodiments, but instead is the full lawful scope ofthe appended claims.

Furthermore, any of the devices, methods, surgical instruments, andfeatures can be used singly or together in order to treat any of thedisorders or diseases mentioned above.

1. A method of quantifying the effectiveness of a gastric restriction ina patient undergoing treatment for obesity comprising: Sensing aparameter associated with the stress on a gastric restriction with animplantable parameter sensing device wherein the gastric restriction iscreated through a surgical bypass procedure.
 2. The method of claim 1further comprising; Interpreting the parameter in relation to thepatient's treatment plan.
 3. The method of claim 1 further comprising:Changing the treatment plan of the patient based on the parameter toimprove upon weight loss for the patient.
 4. The method of claim 1wherein the gastric restriction further comprises an adjustablerestriction device.
 5. The method of claim 4 wherein the adjustablerestriction device is a band which encircles the fundus of the stomach.6. The method of claim 1 wherein the gastric restriction furthercomprises a transgastric anchoring assembly.
 7. The method of claim 1further comprising: generating an output signal.
 8. The method of claim7 further comprising: storing the output signal.
 9. The method of claim7 wherein the output signal is a wireless signal.
 10. The method ofclaim 1 further comprising an electrical stimulator, coupled to theparameter to modulate the treat of obesity.
 11. A method of quantifyingthe effectiveness of a stomach restriction device in a patientundergoing treatment for obesity comprising: Sensing a parameterassociated with the stress on the stomach restriction device; Sensing asignal generated by a body structure in relation to the parameterwherein the structure generating the signal is an enteric nervousstructure or a visceral nervous structure.
 12. The method of claim 11further comprising: delivering the signal related to the parameter to acommunicator.
 13. The method of claim 11 wherein the parameter is sensedon a port in fluid communication with the gastric restriction device.14. The method of claim 13 wherein the parameter is pressure.
 15. Themethod of claim 11 wherein the enteric nervous structure is in the wallof the stomach and wherein the method further comprises the step ofdelivering a physiologic electrical sensor to the wall of the stomach.16. The method of claim 11 wherein the visceral nervous structure is avagus nerve.
 17. The method of claim 11 wherein the visceral nervousstructure is a sympathetic nervous structure.
 18. The method of claim 11wherein the gastric restriction device is a circumferential band placedaround the stomach.
 19. The method of claim 11 wherein the gastricrestriction device is an extragastric inflateable device which does notfully surround the stomach.
 20. The method of claim 11 wherein thegastric restriction device is a transgastric anchor assembly.